Lens driving device

ABSTRACT

An embodiment comprises: a housing supporting a first coil; a bobbin supporting a magnet, the bobbin being moved inside the housing in a first direction, which is parallel with an optical axis, by an electromagnetic interaction between the magnet and the first coil; an elastic member coupled to the bobbin and to the housing; a first circuit board electrically connected to the elastic member; a second circuit board arranged below the housing; a second coil arranged on the second circuit board; and a support member electrically connecting the first circuit board and the second circuit board or electrically connecting the elastic member and the second circuit board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. national stage application of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/KR2015/006343, filed Jun. 23, 2015, whichclaims priority to Korean Application Nos. 10-2014-0082957, filed Jul.3, 2014, and 10-2014-0109728, filed Aug. 22, 2014, the disclosures ofeach of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to a lens moving apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Cellular phones or smartphones equipped with camera modules forcapturing subjects and storing the captured subjects as images or videohave been developed. In general, a camera module may include a lens, animage sensor module, and a voice coil motor (VCM) for adjusting thedistance between the lens and the image sensor module.

When capturing a subject, the camera module may be minutely vibrated bythe shaking of a user's hand, with the result that it is not possible tocapture desired images or video.

A voice coil motor having an optical image stabilizer (OIS) function hasbeen developed in order to correct the distortion of images or video dueto such the shaking of a user's hand.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus that is capable of beingminiaturized, performing image correction regardless of direction, andaccurately recognizing and controlling the position of a lens.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, a lens moving apparatus includes a housing forsupporting a first coil, a bobbin for supporting a magnet, the bobbinbeing configured to move in the housing in a first direction parallel toan optical axis as the result of an electromagnetic interaction betweenthe magnet and the first coil, an elastic member coupled to the bobbinand the housing, a first circuit board connected to the elastic member,a second circuit board disposed under the housing, a second coildisposed on the second circuit board, and a supporting member forelectrically connecting the first circuit board and the second circuitboard or electrically connecting the elastic member and the secondcircuit board.

The elastic member may include an upper elastic member, coupled to theupper portion of the bobbin and the upper portion of the housing, and alower elastic member, coupled to the lower portion of the bobbin and thelower portion of the housing.

The first circuit board may include a first upper surface disposed onthe upper elastic member, a first terminal surface bent from the firstupper surface, the first terminal surface having a plurality of firstterminals, and a first pad disposed on the first upper surface, one endof the supporting member being connected to the first pad.

The second circuit board may include a second upper surface, on whichthe second coil is disposed, and a second pad disposed on the secondupper surface, the other end of the supporting member being electricallyconnected to the second pad.

The housing may include an upper end, on which the first circuit boardis disposed, a plurality of supporting portions connected to the lowersurface of the upper end for supporting the first coil, and a throughrecess formed in a corner of the upper end, the supporting memberpassing through the through recess.

The housing may include an upper end, on which the first circuit boardis disposed, a plurality of supporting portions connected to the lowersurface of the upper end for supporting the first coil, and a throughrecess formed in a corner of the upper end, the supporting memberpassing through the through recess.

The first upper surface of the first circuit board may include at leastone first corner region, the second upper surface of the second circuitboard may include at least one second corner region corresponding to thefirst corner region, at least one of the supporting members may bedisposed between the first corner region and the second corner region,the first corner region may be a region within a predetermined distancefrom a corner of the first upper surface of the first circuit board, andthe second corner region may be a region within a predetermined distancefrom the second upper surface of the second circuit board.

The bobbin may move upward or downward from an initial position in thefirst direction, parallel to the optical axis, as the result of theelectromagnetic interaction between the magnet and the first coil.

The lower portion of the bobbin may be spaced apart from the secondcircuit board at the initial position.

In another embodiment, a lens moving apparatus includes a housing forsupporting a first magnet, a bobbin having a first coil mounted on theouter circumferential surface thereof, the bobbin being configured tomove in the housing in a first direction as the result of anelectromagnetic interaction between the first magnet and the first coil,upper and lower elastic members coupled to the bobbin and the housing, afirst circuit board connected to the upper elastic member, a secondcircuit board disposed under the housing, a second coil disposed on thesecond circuit board, an elastic supporting member for electricallyconnecting the first circuit board and the second circuit board orelectrically connecting the elastic member and the second circuit board,and a first damper disposed on a portion of the elastic supportingmember.

The lens moving apparatus may further include a second damper providedon a portion at which the elastic supporting member and the secondcircuit board are electrically connected to each other.

The housing may include an upper end, on which the first circuit boardis disposed, a plurality of supporting portions connected to the lowersurface of the upper end and supporting the first coil, and a throughrecess formed in a corner of the upper end, the supporting memberpassing through the through recess, and wherein the lens movingapparatus may further include a third damper provided between thethrough recess of the housing and the elastic supporting member.

Each of the upper and lower elastic members may include an inner frameconnected to the bobbin, an outer frame connected to the housing, and aconnection portion for connecting the inner frame and the outer frame,and the lens moving apparatus may further include a fourth damperprovided between the inner frame and the housing.

In a further embodiment, a lens moving apparatus includes a housing forsupporting a first magnet, a bobbin having at least one lens mountedtherein, the bobbin being provided on the outer circumferential surfacethereof with a first coil, the bobbin being configured to move in thehousing in a first direction as the result of an electromagneticinteraction between the first magnet and the first coil, a second magnetdisposed on the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin, a firstposition sensor for sensing the position of the bobbin, upper and lowerelastic members coupled to the bobbin and the housing, a first circuitboard connected to the upper elastic member, a second circuit boarddisposed under the housing, a second coil disposed on the second circuitboard, and an elastic supporting member for electrically connecting thefirst circuit board and the second circuit board or electricallyconnecting the elastic member and the second circuit board, wherein thesecond magnet is a bipolar magnetized magnet disposed so as to beopposite the first position sensor.

The second magnet may include a first lateral surface facing the firstposition sensor, the first lateral surface having a first polarity, anda second lateral surface facing the first position sensor, the secondlateral surface being disposed so as to be spaced apart from or to abuton the first lateral surface in a direction parallel to an optical-axisdirection, the second lateral surface having a second polarity oppositethe polarity of the first lateral surface. The length of the firstlateral surface in the optical-axis direction may be equal to or greaterthan the length of the second lateral surface in the optical-axisdirection.

The second magnet may include first and second sensing magnets disposedso as to be spaced apart from each other and a non-magnetic partitionwall disposed between the first and second sensing magnets.

The non-magnetic partition wall may include pores or a non-magneticmaterial.

The first and second sensing magnets may be disposed so as to be spacedapart from each other in a direction parallel to the optical-axisdirection, or may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from each otherin a direction perpendicular to the optical-axis direction.

The non-magnetic partition wall may have a length equivalent to 10% ormore or 50% or less the length of the second magnet in a directionparallel to the optical-axis direction.

The first lateral surface may be located above the second lateralsurface, and the height of the center of the first position sensor maybe equal to or higher than the height of an imaginary horizontal surfaceextending from the upper end of the first lateral surface in amagnetized direction in an initial state before the lens is moved in theoptical-axis direction.

Advantageous Effects

A lens moving apparatus is capable of being miniaturized, performingimage correction regardless of direction, and accurately recognizing andcontrolling the position of a lens.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lens moving apparatusaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens moving apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lens moving apparatus shown in FIG.1, from which a cover member is removed;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of a bobbin shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the bobbin shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of a housing shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an upper elastic member and a lowerelastic member shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an assembled perspective view of the bobbin and the upperelastic member shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of the bobbin and the lowerelastic member shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bobbin, the housing, and the upperelastic member shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is an assembled perspective view of the bobbin, the housing, theupper elastic member, and a first circuit board shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a disassembled perspective view of a base, a second circuithoard, and a second coil shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the first circuit board shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the lens moving apparatus taken alongline AB of FIG. 3;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the lens moving apparatus taken alongline CD of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a lens moving apparatus according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the lens moving apparatus shown in FIG.18;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a lens moving apparatus according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the lens moving apparatus shown in FIG.20;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a lens moving apparatusaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an assembled perspective view of the lens moving apparatusshown in FIG. 22, from which a cover member is removed;

FIG. 24 is an assembled perspective view of an upper elastic member, asecond magnet, and a bobbin shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the upper elastic member, which iscoupled to a housing, to which the bobbin and a first magnet shown inFIG. 22 are mounted;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a lens moving apparatus according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a lens moving apparatus according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a conceptual view illustrating auto focusing and opticalimage stabilization of the lens moving apparatus according to theembodiment;

FIG. 29 is a view showing the direction in which a moving part movesunder the control of second coils according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a view showing the direction in which the moving part movesunder the control of second coils according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a view showing the position of the moving part based on theintensity of current supplied to the first coil;

FIGS. 32A to 32D are views showing a driving algorithm for auto focusingaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 33A is a block diagram of a focus controller according to anembodiment;

FIG. 33B is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an auto focusingcontrol method performed by the focus controller shown in FIG. 33A;

FIGS. 34A and 34B are graphs illustrating an auto focusing functionaccording to a comparative example;

FIGS. 35A and 35B are graphs illustrating an auto focusing functionaccording to an embodiment;

FIGS. 36A and 36B are graphs illustrating fine adjustment in the autofocusing function according to the embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the auto focusingcontrol method performed by the focus controller shown in FIG. 33A;

FIG. 38 is a schematic sectional view of a lens moving apparatusaccording to another embodiment;

FIGS. 39A and 39B are sectional views showing embodiments of a bipolarmagnetized magnet shown in FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a graph illustrating the operation of the lens movingapparatus shown in FIG. 38;

FIG. 41 is a view showing the state in which the lens moving apparatusshown in FIG. 38 has been moved in an optical-axis direction;

FIG. 42 is a graph showing the displacement of the moving part based oncurrent supplied to the first coil in the lens moving apparatusaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 44 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus according toanother embodiment;

FIGS. 45A and 45B are sectional views showing embodiments of a bipolarmagnetized magnet shown in FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 47 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 49 is a graph showing the displacement of a moving part based oncurrent supplied to a first coil in the lens moving apparatus shown inFIGS. 47 and 48;

FIG. 50 is a graph showing the intensity of a magnetic field sensed by afirst position sensor based on the movement distance of the moving partin an optical-axis direction in various states in which the firstposition sensor is opposite a bipolar magnetized magnet;

FIGS. 51A and 51B are graphs showing the intensity-based displacement ofthe magnetic field sensed by the first position sensor;

FIG. 52 is a graph illustrating the change in intensity of a magneticfield based on the movement distance of a moving part of a lens movingapparatus according to a comparative example; and

FIG. 53 is a graph illustrating the change of the magnetic field sensedby the position sensor based on the movement of the moving part of thelens moving apparatus according to the embodiment.

BEST MODE

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription of the embodiments, it will be understood that, when a layer(film), region, pattern, or structure is referred to as being “on” or“under” another layer (film), region, pattern, or structure, it can be“directly” on or under the other layer (film), region, pattern, orstructure or can be “indirectly” formed such that an intervening elementis also present. In addition, terms such as “on” or “under” should beunderstood on the basis of the drawings.

In the drawings, the sizes of respective elements are exaggerated,omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity ofdescription. Further, the sizes of the respective elements do not denotethe actual sizes thereof. In addition, wherever possible, the samereference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts.

An optical image stabilization device used in a small-sized cameramodule mounted in a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet PC,is a device for preventing the outline of a captured still image frombeing blurred due to vibration caused by the shaking of a user's handwhen the image is captured.

In addition, an auto focusing device is a device for automaticallyfocusing an image of a subject on the surface of an image sensor. Theoptical image stabilization device and the auto focusing device may beconfigured in various manners. In embodiments, an optical moduleincluding a plurality of lenses may be moved in a direction parallel toan optical axis or in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis inorder to perform auto focusing and optical image stabilization.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lens moving apparatus 100according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view ofthe lens moving apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspectiveview of the lens moving apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, from which acover member 300 is removed, FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3, FIG. 16 isa sectional view of the lens moving apparatus taken along line AB ofFIG. 3, and FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the lens moving apparatustaken along line CD of FIG. 3.

A rectangular coordinate system (x, y, z) may be used in FIGS. 1 to 17.In the figures, an xy plane, defined by an x axis and a y axis, is aplane perpendicular to an optical axis. For the sake of convenience, theoptical-axis direction (i.e. the z-axis direction) may be referred to asa first direction, the x-axis direction may be referred to as a seconddirection, and the y-axis direction may be referred to as a thirddirection.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, 16, and 17, the lens moving apparatus 100includes a cover member 300, an upper elastic member 150, a bobbin 110,a first coil 120, a housing 140, a magnet 130, a lower elastic member160, elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d, a first position sensor190, a second coil 230, a second circuit board 250, a base 210, andsecond and third position sensors 240 a and 240 b.

The bobbin 110, the first coil 120, the magnet 130, the housing 140, theupper elastic member 150, the lower elastic member 160, and the elasticsupporting members 220 a to 220 d may constitute a first lens movingunit 100, which may further include the first position sensor 190. Thefirst lens moving unit 100 may be used for auto focusing.

In addition, the first lens moving unit 100, the second coil 230, thesecond circuit board 250, and the base 210 may constitute a second lensmoving unit 200, which may further include the second and third positionsensors 240 a and 240 b. The second lens moving unit 200 may be used foroptical image stabilization.

First, the cover member 300 will be described.

The cover member 300 receives the upper elastic member 150, the bobbin110, the first coil 120, the housing 140, the magnet 130, the lowerelastic member 160, the elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d, thesecond coil 230, and the second circuit board 250 in a receiving spacedefined by the cover member 300 and the base 210.

The cover member 300 may be formed generally in a box shape. The lowerportion of the cover member 300 may be coupled to the upper portion ofthe base 210.

The cover member 300 may be provided in the upper surface thereof withan opening 310, through which a lens (not shown) coupled to the bobbin110 is exposed to external light. In addition, a window, made of alight-transmissive material, may be provided in the opening 310 of thecover member 300 in order to prevent foreign matter, such as dust ormoisture, from permeating into a camera module.

Next, the bobbin 110 will be described.

The bobbin 110 is disposed inside the housing 140, a description ofwhich will follow. The bobbin 110 may move in the direction parallel toan optical axis, i.e. in the first direction.

Although not shown, the bobbin 110 may include a lens barrel, in whichat least one lens is installed. However, the lens barrel may be anelement of the camera module, a description of which will follow, or maynot be an indispensable element of the lens moving apparatus 100.

The lens barrel may be coupled to the inside of the bobbin 110 invarious manners.

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of the bobbin 110 shown in FIG. 2,and FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the bobbin 110 shown in FIG.2.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the bobbin 110 may have a structure providedwith a hollow 101, in which the lens or the lens barrel (not shown) ismounted. The shape of the hollow 101 may be determined depending on theshape of the lens or the lens barrel. For example, the hollow 101 may beformed in a circular, oval, or polygonal shape.

For example, the lens barrel may be coupled to the bobbin 110 bycoupling between a female screw 119 formed in the inner circumferentialsurface of the bobbin 110 and a male screw formed on the outercircumferential surface of the lens barrel. However, the disclosure isnot limited thereto. The lens barrel may be directly fixed to the insideof the bobbin 110 using a method other than screw coupling.Alternatively, one or more lenses may be integrally formed with thebobbin 110, without the lens barrel.

The bobbin 110 may have at least one upper supporting protrusion 113formed at the upper surface thereof and at least one lower supportingprotrusion 114 (see FIG. 7) formed at the lower surface thereof.

The upper supporting protrusion 113 of the bobbin 110 may be coupled toan inner frame 151 of the upper elastic member 150, whereby the bobbin110 may be coupled and fixed to the upper elastic member 150.

The upper supporting protrusion 113 of the bobbin 110 may include amiddle protrusion 113 a, a first upper protrusion 113 b, and a secondupper protrusion 113 c.

The first upper protrusion 113 b may be disposed at one side of themiddle protrusion 113 a so as to be spaced apart from the middleprotrusion 113 a by a first distance. The second upper protrusion 113 cmay be disposed at the other side of the middle protrusion 113 a so asto be spaced apart from the middle protrusion 113 a, by a seconddistance.

For example, the first distance and the second distance may be equal,and the first upper protrusion 113 b and the second upper protrusion 113c may be disposed so as to be symmetric with respect to the middleprotrusion 113 a. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Theupper elastic member 150 may be asymmetric depending on the shape of theinner frame 151.

The middle protrusion 113 a, the first upper protrusion 113 b, and thesecond upper protrusion 113 c may each be formed in a prism shape.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment,the middle protrusion 113 a, the first upper protrusion 113 b, and thesecond upper protrusion 113 c may each be formed in a cylindrical shape.

The inner frame 151 of the upper elastic member 150, a description ofwhich will follow, may be inserted between the middle protrusion 113 aand the first upper protrusion 113 b and between the middle protrusion113 a and the second upper protrusion 113 c, whereby the inner frame 151may be coupled to the upper portion of the bobbin. The upper supportingprotrusion 113 of the bobbin 110 and the inner frame 151 may be fixed toeach other by thermal fusion or using an adhesive member such as epoxy.

The first upper protrusion 113 b and the second upper protrusion 113 cmay serve as stoppers for preventing rotation of the bobbin 110 whenforce is applied to the bobbin 110 in the direction in which the bobbin110 is rotated about the optical axis.

The bobbin 110 may have a plurality of upper supporting protrusions 113,which may be arranged on the upper surface of the bobbin 110 atintervals.

In the case in which the bobbin 110 has a plurality of upper supportingprotrusions 113, the upper supporting protrusions 113 of the bobbin 110may be arranged at intervals so as to avoid interference with partstherearound. For example, the upper supporting protrusions 113 may bearranged at uniform intervals so as to be symmetric with respect to animaginary line passing through the center of the bobbin 110.Alternatively, the upper supporting protrusions 113 may be arranged atnonuniform intervals so as to be symmetric with respect to the imaginaryline passing through the center of the bobbin 110.

The lower supporting protrusion 114 of the bobbin 110 may be formed in acylindrical shape or a prism shape. The bobbin 110 may have one or morelower supporting protrusions 114. The lower supporting protrusion 114 ofthe bobbin 110 may be coupled to an inner frame 161 of the lower elasticmember 160, whereby the bobbin 110 may be coupled and fixed to the lowerelastic member 160.

In the case in which the bobbin 110 has a plurality of lower supportingprotrusions 114, the upper supporting protrusions 113 of the bobbin 110may be arranged at uniform intervals or nonuniform intervals so as to besymmetric with respect to the imaginary line passing through the centerof the bobbin 110.

A magnet location recess 116 having a size corresponding to that of themagnet 130 may be provided between the upper side and the lower side ofthe outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 110.

The magnet location recess 116 may be provided in the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 110 depending on the position ofthe magnet 130. A plurality of magnet location recesses 116 may beprovided in the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 110 so as tocorrespond to a plurality of magnets.

For example, four magnet location recesses 116 may be provided in theouter circumferential surface of the bobbin 110 at intervals. That is,two pairs of magnet location recesses facing each other may be provided.In addition, one pair of magnet location recesses facing each other andthe other pair of magnet location recesses facing each other may beperpendicular to each other.

The magnet location recess 116 may be formed in a recessed shape definedby the bottom and the sidewall. A portion of the sidewall may be open.For example, the magnet location recess 116 may be formed in a recessedshape having an open upper sidewall, through which the magnet 130 isinserted. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In anotherembodiment, a magnet location portion of the housing 140 may have arecessed structure in which a portion of the sidewall is not open.

The bobbin 110 may be provided in the upper portion of the outercircumferential surface 110 a thereof with an upper escape recess 112corresponding to a connection portion 153 of the upper elastic member150 in order to eliminate spatial interference between the connectionportion 153 of the upper elastic member 150 and the bobbin 110 and makeit easier for the connection portion 153 to be elastically deformed whenthe bobbin 110 moves in the first direction.

The upper escape recess 112 may be formed in the upper portion of theouter circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 110 located betweentwo neighboring magnet location recesses. For example, the bobbin 110may include four upper escape recesses 112 formed in the upper portionof the outer circumferential surface 110 a so as to be arranged atintervals.

In addition, the bobbin 110 may be provided in the lower portion of theouter circumferential surface thereof with a lower escape recess 118corresponding to a connection portion 163 of the lower elastic member160 in order to eliminate spatial interference between the connectionportion 163 of the lower elastic member 160 and the bobbin 110 and makeit easier for the connection portion 163 to be elastically deformed whenthe bobbin 110 moves in the first direction.

The lower escape recess 118 may be formed in the lower portion of theouter circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 110 located betweentwo neighboring magnet location recesses. For example, the bobbin 110may include four lower escape recesses 118 formed in the lower portionof the outer circumferential surface 110 a so as to be arranged atintervals.

The outer circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 110 locatedbetween two neighboring magnet location recesses may be a curved surfacethat is convex from the center of the hollow 101 of the bobbin 110toward the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 110.

Next, the magnet 130 will be described.

The magnet 130 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface 110 a ofthe bobbin 110 so as to correspond to the first coil 120, a descriptionof which will follow. For example, the magnet 130 may be disposed in themagnet location recess 116 of the bobbin 110.

The magnet 130 may be fixed to the magnet location recess 116 of thebobbin 110 using an adhesive or an adhesive member such as adouble-sided tape.

One or more magnets 130 may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG.2, four magnets may be arranged on the outer circumferential surface ofthe bobbin 110 at intervals.

The magnet 130 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment,the magnet 130 may be formed in a trapezoidal shape.

The magnet 130 may be disposed in the magnet location recess 116 suchthat the wide surface of the magnet faces the outer circumferentialsurface of the bobbin 110. Magnets 130 that face each other may bedisposed parallel to each other.

In addition, the magnet 130 may be disposed so as to face the first coil120, a description of which will follow.

Surfaces of the magnet 130 and the first coil 120 that face each othermay be disposed so as to be parallel to each other. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. One of the surfaces of the magnet 130and the first coil 120 that face each other may be a flat surface, andthe other surface may be a curved surface. Alternatively, the surfacesof the first coil 120 and the magnet 130 that face each other may becurved surfaces. In this case, the surfaces of the first coil 120 andthe magnet 130 that face each other may have the same curvature.

The magnet 130 and the first coil 120 may be configured so as tocorrespond to each other.

In the case in which the magnet 130 is configured as a single body andis disposed such that the entirety of the surface of the magnet 130 thatfaces the first coil 120 has the same polarity, the first coil 120 mayalso be configured such that the surface of the first coil 120corresponding to the magnet 130 has the same polarity.

For example, the magnet 130 may be disposed such that the surface of themagnet 130 that faces the first coil 120 has an N pole and the surfaceof the magnet 130 opposite the surface having the N pole has an S pole.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The polarity of themagnet 130 may be reversed.

In another embodiment, in the case in which the surface of the magnet130 perpendicular to the optical axis is divided into two, with theresult that two or more divided surfaces of the magnet 130 face thefirst coil 120, the first coil 120 may be divided so as to correspond tothe number of divided surfaces of the magnet 130.

Next, the housing 140 will be described.

The housing 140 supports the first coil 120, and receives the bobbin 110therein such that the bobbin 110 moves in the first direction, which isparallel to the optical axis.

FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of the housing 140 shown in FIG. 2,and FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the housing 140 shown in FIG.2.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the housing 140 may be formed generally in ahollow column shape. For example, the housing 140 may have a polygonal(e.g. a quadrangular or octagonal) hollow 201.

The housing 140 may include an upper end 710, which has the hollow 201,and a plurality of supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 connected to thelower surface of the upper end 710.

The supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 may be arranged at intervals. Anopening 701, through which the magnet 130 mounted on the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 110 is exposed, may be formedbetween two neighboring supporting portions.

The upper end 710 of the housing 140 may be quadrangular. The supportingportions 720-1 to 720-4 may be disposed so as to be arranged atintervals.

The supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140 may each beformed in a prism shape. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The housing may include four supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4. Atleast one pair of supporting portions may be disposed so as to face eachother.

For example, the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140may be disposed so as to correspond to the escape recesses 112 and 118of the bobbin 110.

In addition, for example, the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of thehousing 140 may be disposed so as to correspond to the outercircumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 110 between two neighboringmagnet location recesses.

In addition, for example, the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of thehousing 140 may be disposed so as to correspond to or be aligned withthe four corners of the upper end 710 thereof.

The outer circumferential surface 730 of each of the supporting portions720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140 may include a first lateral surface730-1 parallel to the second direction, a second lateral surface 730-2parallel to the third direction, and a third lateral surface 730-3disposed between the first lateral surface and the second lateralsurface. Each of the first to third lateral surfaces 730-1 to 720-3 maybe a flat surface.

A first angle formed by the third lateral surface 730-3 and the firstlateral surface 730-1 of each of the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4of the housing 140 and a second angle formed by the third lateralsurface 730-3 and the second lateral surface 730-2 may be an obtuseangle. The first angle and the second angle may be the same.

The area of the third lateral surface 730-3 of each of the supportingportions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140 may be greater than the areasof the first and second lateral surface 730-1 and 730-2. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto.

The inner circumferential surface 740 of each of the supporting portions720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140 may be a curved surface that is convexfrom the center of the hollow 201 of the housing 140 toward the outercircumferential surface 730 of a corresponding one of the supportingportions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140.

The inner circumferential surface 740 of each of the supporting portions720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140 may have a curved surfacecorresponding to or coinciding with the curved surface of the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin such that the bobbin 110 easilymoves in the housing 140 in the first direction without interferencewith the housing 140.

Each of the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140 mayhave stairs 731 and 732 protruding from the lower portions of the firstand second lateral surface 730-1 and 730-2 in order to support the firstcoil 120, a description of which will follow.

The housing 140 may have at least one first stopper 143 protruding fromthe upper surface thereof in order to prevent collision with the covermember 300. That is, the first stopper 143 of the housing 140 mayprevent the upper end 710 of the housing 140 from directly collidingwith the inner surface of the cover member 300 when external impact isapplied thereto.

For example, the first stopper 143 may protrude from the upper surfaceof the upper end 710 of the housing 140, and may be disposed so as tocorrespond to or be aligned with each of the supporting portions 720-1to 720-4 of the housing 140.

A plurality of first stoppers 143 may be provided. The first stoppersmay be arranged at intervals. For example, at least one pair of firststoppers may be disposed so as to face each other.

The first stopper 143 may be formed in a cylindrical shape or apolygonal column shape. The first stopper 143 may be divided into two ormore. For example, the first stopper 143 may be divided into two. Thetwo divided first stoppers 143 a and 143 b may be spaced apart from eachother by a predetermined distance. In addition, the first stopper 143 ofthe housing 140 may serve to guide the installation position of theupper elastic member 150.

The housing 140 may have at least one second stopper 146 protruding fromthe lateral surface of the upper end 710 thereof in order to preventcollision with the cover member 300. That is, the second stopper 146 ofthe housing 140 may prevent the lateral surface of the upper end 710 ofthe housing 140 from directly colliding with the inner surface of thecover member 300 when external impact is applied thereto.

The housing 140 may further have at least one upper frame supportingprotrusion 144 protruding from the upper surface of the upper end 710 soas to be coupled to an outer frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150.

The housing 140 may have a plurality of upper frame supportingprotrusions 144. The upper frame supporting protrusions 144 of thehousing 140 may be disposed on the upper surface of the upper end 710 ofthe housing 140 so as to be arranged at intervals.

For example, the upper frame supporting protrusions 144 may be spacedapart from the first stoppers 143, and may be adjacent to the corners ofthe housing 140.

In addition, the housing 140 may have at least one lower framesupporting protrusion 145 protruding from the lower surface of each ofthe supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 so as to be coupled to an outerframe 162 of the lower elastic member 160.

The lower frame supporting protrusion 145 may be formed in a cylindricalshape or a polygonal column shape. The lower frame supporting protrusion145 may be aligned with the center of the lower surface of each of thesupporting portions 720-1 to 720-4. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. In another embodiment, the housing 140 may have aplurality of lower frame supporting protrusions 145.

The upper end 710 of the housing 140 may have a damper supportingportion 741 that abuts on the hollow 201 and forms a stair d1 togetherwith the upper surface. A damper, a description of which will follow,may be disposed or applied in the damper supporting portion 741.

For example, the upper surface 740 of the upper end 710 of the housing140 may include a damper supporting portion 741 and an outer supportingportion 742. The stair d1 may be provided in the first direction betweenthe damper supporting portion 741 and the outer supporting portion 742.

The outer supporting portion 742 may be formed in a shape that abuts onthe lateral surface of the housing 140 and corresponds to or coincideswith the shape of the outer frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150.The outer supporting portion 742 may support the outer frame 152 of theupper elastic member 150.

The damper supporting portion 741 may be formed in a recessed shape thatis recessed downward from the outer supporting portion 742. The dampersupporting portion 741 may form the stair d1 together with the outersupporting portion 742.

The damper supporting portion 741 may include a first part S1 located soas to correspond to each of the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 ofthe housing 140 and a second part S2 located between the first parts S1so as to correspond to a bent portion 151 a of the upper elastic member.

The first part S1 of the damper supporting portion 741 may be alignedwith the connection portion 153 of the upper elastic member 150 and theupper escape recess 112 of the bobbin 110 in the vertical direction.

A damper may be applied between the damper supporting portion 741 andthe connection portion 153 of the upper elastic member 150 in order toprevent the occurrence of an oscillation phenomenon when the bobbin 110moves.

The second part S2 of the damper supporting portion 741 may have anescape recess 750 for avoiding spatial interference with the bentportion 151 a of the inner frame 151 of the upper elastic member 150.The length of the escape recess 750 may be equal to or greater than thelength of the bent portion 151 a in order to eliminate spatialinterference.

The housing 140 may be provided in corners of the lateral surface of theupper end 710 thereof with through recesses 751, into which the elasticsupporting members 220 a to 220 d are inserted.

The through recesses 751 may be formed through the upper end of thehousing 140, may be depressed from the lateral surface of the upper end710 of the housing 140, and may be open in the lateral direction.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment,through holes may be formed only through the upper surface and the lowersurface of the upper end 710 of the housing 140.

The through recesses 751 may have a depth such that the portions of theelastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d inserted into the throughrecesses 751 are not exposed outside of the lateral surface of thehousing 140. The through recesses 751 may serve to guide or support theelastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d.

The housing 140 may be provided in the lateral surface of the upper end710 thereof with a first position sensor recess 141 b. The firstposition sensor recess 141 b may have a size and shape corresponding tothe size and shape of the first position sensor 190.

For example, the first position sensor recess 141 b may be formed in thelateral surface of the upper end 710 of the housing 140 located betweenthe supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 thereof.

Next, the first position sensor 190 will be described.

The first position sensor 190 is disposed in the housing 140. Forexample, the first position sensor 190 may be disposed in the firstposition sensor recess 141 b of the housing 140. The first positionsensor 190 is connected to the first circuit board 170 by soldering.

For example, the first position sensor 190 may be connected to a firstterminal surface 170 a of the first circuit board 170.

The first position sensor 190 may be a sensor for sensing the change ofa magnetic field emitted by the magnet 130. The first position sensor190 may sense the change of the magnetic field emitted by the magnet 130when the bobbin 110 moves in the first direction. The first positionsensor 190 may be disposed so as to correspond to the magnet 130.

For example, the first position sensor 190 may include a Hall sensor anda driver for performing data communication, e.g. I2C communication, withan external controller using a protocol upon receiving data from theHall sensor. In another embodiment, the first position sensor 190 mayinclude a Hall sensor alone.

Next, the first coil 120 will be described.

The first coil 120 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface ofthe housing 140.

The first coil 120 may be disposed on the outer circumferential surfaces730 of the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140.

For example, the first coil 120 may be a ring-shaped coil block disposedon the first to third lateral surfaces 730-1 to 730-3 of the supportingportions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140. However, the disclosure isnot limited thereto.

The ring shape of the first coil 120 may be a polygon, e.g. an octagon,corresponding to the shape of the outer circumferential surfaces 730 ofthe supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140. For example,the ring shape of the first coil 120 may be configured such that atleast four surfaces are flat and corner parts connecting the foursurfaces are round or flat.

The first coil 120 may directly face the magnet 130 through the opening701 of the housing 140. That is, at least a portion of the housing 140may not be disposed between the magnet 130 and the first coil 120, andthe first coil 120 and the magnet 130 may face each other through theopening 701.

Next, the upper elastic member 150 and the lower elastic member 160 willbe described.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the upper elastic member 150 and thelower elastic member shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 10 is an assembledperspective view of the bobbin 110 and the upper elastic member 150shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of the bobbin110 and the lower elastic member 160 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 12 is aperspective view of the bobbin 110, the housing 140, and the upperelastic member 150 shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 13 is an assembledperspective view of the bobbin 110, the housing, the upper elasticmember 150, and the first circuit board 170 shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13, the upper elastic member 150 and the lowerelastic member 160 may be coupled to the bobbin 110 and the housing 140,respectively. For example, the upper elastic member 150 may be coupledto one end (e.g. the upper portion) of the bobbin 110 and to one end(e.g. the upper portion) of the housing 140. The lower elastic member160 may be coupled to the other end (e.g. the lower portion) of thebobbin 110 and to the other end (e.g. the lower portion) of the housing140.

The upper elastic member 150 and the lower elastic member 160 mayelastically support the bobbin 110 such that the bobbin 110 moves upwardand downward in the first direction, which is parallel to the opticalaxis.

The upper elastic member 150 may include an inner frame 151 coupled tothe bobbin 110, an outer frame 152 coupled to the housing 140, and aconnection portion 153 for connecting the inner frame 151 and the outerframe 152.

The lower elastic member 160 may include an inner frame 161 coupled tothe bobbin 110, an outer frame 162 coupled to the housing 140, and aconnection portion 163 for connecting the inner frame 161 and the outerframe 162. The upper elastic member 150 and the lower elastic member 160may each be a leaf spring.

The connection portions 153 and 163 of the upper and lower elasticmembers 150 and 160 may be bent at least once to form a predeterminedpattern.

The upward and/or downward movement of the bobbin 110 in the firstdirection may be elastically supported through the positional change andfine deformation of the connection portions 153 and 163. The connectionportions 153 and 163 may connect the inner frames 151 and 161 and theouter frames 152 and 162 such that the inner frames 151 and 161 areelastically deformed with respect to the outer frames 152 and 162.

The inner frame 151 of the upper elastic member 150 may have a hollowcorresponding to the hollow 101 of the bobbin 110 and/or the hollow 201of the housing 140. The outer frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150may be formed in the shape of a polygonal ring, which is disposed aroundthe inner frame 151.

The inner frame 151 of the upper elastic member 150 may have a bentportion 151 a coupled to the upper supporting protrusion 113 of thebobbin 110.

The bent portion 151 a may be formed in the shape of a recess that isconvex from the center of the inner frame 151 toward the outercircumferential surface of the inner frame 151.

As shown in FIG. 9, the bent portion 151 a may include a first part 911,a second part 912, and a third part 913 located between the first part911 and the second part 912.

The first and second parts 911 and 912 of the bent portion 151 a of theupper elastic member 150 may be inserted between the middle protrusion113 a and the first upper protrusion 113 b of the bobbin 110 and betweenthe middle protrusion 113 a and the second upper protrusion 113 c of thebobbin 110, respectively. The inner circumferential surface of the thirdpart 913 of the bent portion 151 a of the upper elastic member 150 mayabut on the outer circumferential surface of the middle protrusion 113 aof the bobbin 110.

The upper supporting protrusion 113 of the bobbin 110 and the bentportion 151 a of the upper elastic member 150 may be fixed to each otherby thermal fusion or using an adhesive member such as epoxy.

The outer frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150 may be provided witha through hole 152 a, into which the upper frame supporting protrusion144 of the housing 140 is coupled. The upper frame supporting protrusion144 of the housing 140 and the through hole 152 a of the upper elasticmember 150 may be fixed to each other by thermal fusion or using anadhesive member such as epoxy.

The outer frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150 may be provided witha first guide recess 153, into which the first stopper 143 of thehousing 140 is coupled.

The guide recess 153 of the upper elastic member 150 may be formed at aposition corresponding to the first stopper 143 of the housing 140, e.g.adjacent to a corner of the outer frame 152.

For example, the outer frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150 may beprovided with first guide recesses 153 a and 153 b corresponding to thedivided first stoppers 143 a and 143 b, respectively. The first guiderecesses 153 a and 153 b may be spaced apart from each other.

The inner frame 161 of the lower elastic member 160 may have a hollowcorresponding to the hollow 101 of the bobbin 110 and/or the hollow 201of the housing 140.

The outer frame 162 of the lower elastic member 160 may be formed in theshape of a polygonal ring, which is disposed around the inner frame 161.

The lower elastic member 160 may be divided into two in order to receivepower having different polarities. The lower elastic member 160 mayinclude a first lower elastic member 160 a and a second lower elasticmember 160 b.

The inner frame 161 and the outer frame 162 of the lower elastic member160 may each be divided into two, which may be electrically separatedfrom each other.

For example, each of the first and second lower elastic members 160 aand 160 b may include one of the two divided inner frames, one of thetwo divided outer frames, and a connection portion for connecting theone of the two divided inner frames and the one of the two divided outerframes.

The inner frame 161 of the lower elastic member 160 may be provided witha through hole 161 a, into which the lower supporting protrusion 114 ofthe bobbin 110 is coupled. The lower supporting protrusion 114 of thebobbin 110 and the through hole 161 a of the lower elastic member 160may be fixed to each other by thermal fusion or using an adhesive membersuch as epoxy.

The outer frame 162 of the lower elastic member 160 may be provided withan insertion recess 162 a, into which the lower frame supportingprotrusion 145 of each of the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of thehousing 140 is coupled.

The lower frame supporting protrusion 145 of the housing 140 and theinsertion recess 162 a of the lower elastic member 160 may be fixed toeach other by thermal fusion or using an adhesive member such as epoxy.

The lower elastic member 160 may be connected to the first coil 120.

The start line of the first coil 120 may be connected to the first lowerelastic member 160 a, and the end line of the first coil 120 may beconnected to the second lower elastic member 160 b.

For example, the first lower elastic member 160 a may be provided at oneend of the inner frame thereof with a first bonding portion 169 a, towhich the start line of the first coil 120 is connected by soldering. Inaddition, the second lower elastic member 160 b may be provided at oneend of the inner frame thereof with a second bonding portion 169 b, towhich the end line of the first coil 120 is connected.

The lower elastic member 160 is connected to the first circuit board170. For example, the outer frames 162 of the first and second lowerelastic members 160 a and 160 b may be provided with respective pads 165a and 165 b connected to the first circuit board 170 by soldering.

The pads 165 a and 165 b of the lower elastic member 160 may beconnected to corresponding ones selected from among first terminals175-1 to 175-n (n being a natural number greater than 1) formed on thefirst terminal surface 170 a of the first circuit board 170. The firstcoil 120 may be connected to the first circuit board 170 via the firstand second lower elastic members 160 a and 160 b.

The bobbin 110 may be fixed to the inner frames 151 and 161 of the upperand lower elastic members 150 and 160 through coupling between thethrough hole 151 a of the inner frame 151 of the upper elastic member150 and the upper supporting protrusion 113 of the bobbin 110 andcoupling between the through hole 161 a of the inner frame 161 of thelower elastic member 160 and the lower supporting protrusion 114 of thebobbin 110.

In addition, the housing 140 may be fixed to the outer frames 152 and162 of the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160 through couplingbetween the through hole 152 a of the outer frame 152 of the upperelastic member 150 and the upper frame supporting protrusion 144 of thehousing 140 and coupling between the insertion recess 162 a of the outerframe 162 of the lower elastic member 160 and the lower frame supportingprotrusion 145 of the housing 140.

In another embodiment, the lower elastic member 160 may not be dividedinto two, and the upper elastic member 150 and the lower elastic member160 may be connected to the first circuit board 170.

In this embodiment, the lower elastic member 160 is divided into two,and the upper elastic member 150 is not divided. However, the disclosureis not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the lower elastic member160 may not be divided, the upper elastic member 150 may be divided intotwo, and the divided two upper elastic members may be connected to thefirst circuit board 170, whereby power having different polarities maybe supplied to the first coil 120.

In another embodiment, the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160may not be divided, the start line of the first coil 120 may beconnected to the upper elastic member 150, the end line of the firstcoil 120 may be connected to the lower elastic member 160, and the upperand lower elastic members 160 may be connected to the first circuitboard 170, whereby power having different polarities may be supplied tothe first coil 120.

In a further embodiment, the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160may not be divided, the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160 maynot be connected to the first circuit board 170, the first coil 120 maybe directly connected to the second circuit board 250, and the firstcircuit board 170 may be connected to the second circuit board 250 viathe elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d, whereby power havingdifferent polarities may be supplied to the first coil 120.

Next, the first circuit board 170 will be described.

The first circuit board 170 is disposed on the upper elastic member 150.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the first circuit board 170 shown inFIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 15, the first circuit board 170 may include a firstupper surface 170 b disposed on the outer frame 152 of the upper elasticmember 150 and a first terminal surface 170 a bent downward from thefirst upper surface 170 b.

The first upper surface 170 b of the first circuit board 170 may beformed in a shape corresponding to or coinciding with the shape of theouter frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150. The first upper surface170 b of the first circuit board 170 may contact the upper surface ofthe outer frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150. For example, thefirst upper surface 170 b of the first circuit board 170 may be formedin the shape of a ring having a hollow 710-1, and the shape of the outeredge of the first upper surface 170 b of the first circuit board 170 maybe quadrangular.

The first circuit board 170 may be provided in the first upper surface170 b thereof with a through hole 171, into which the upper framesupporting protrusion 144 of the housing 140 is coupled. The upper framesupporting protrusion 144 of the housing 140 and the through hole 171 ofthe first circuit board 170 may be fixed to each other by thermal fusionor using an adhesive member such as epoxy.

The first circuit board 170 may have a second guide recess 172, intowhich the first stopper 143 of the housing 140 is coupled. The secondguide recess 172 may be formed through the first circuit board 170.

The first stopper 143 of the housing 140 may be coupled into the firstguide recess 153 of the outer frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150and into the second guide recess 172 of the first circuit board 170.

The second guide recess 172 of the first circuit board 170 may be formedat a position corresponding to the first stopper 143 of the housing 140,e.g. adjacent to a corner of the first upper surface 170 b of the firstcircuit board 170.

For example, the first circuit board 170 may be provided in the firstupper surface 170 b thereof with second guide recesses 172 a and 172 bcorresponding to the divided first stoppers 143 a and 143 b,respectively. The second guide recesses 172 a and 172 b may be spacedapart from each other.

The first circuit board 170 may be provided in the first upper surface170 b thereof with first pads 174 a to 174 d, to each of which one endof a corresponding one of the elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 dis connected.

For example, the first pads 174 a to 174 d of the first circuit board170 may be provided with recesses or through holes, into which theelastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d are inserted.

Each of the first pads 174 a to 174 d of the first circuit board 170 maybe connected to one end of a corresponding one of the elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d by soldering.

For example, the first pads 174 a to 174 d of the first circuit board170 may be disposed between the corners of the first upper surface 170 hof the first circuit board 170 and the second guide recesses 172 a and172 b.

The first terminal surface 170 a of the first circuit board 170 may bebent perpendicularly downward from the first upper surface 170 b, andmay include a plurality of first terminals or first pins 175-1 to 175-n(n being a natural number greater than 1), through which electricalsignals are input from the outside.

For example, for easy connection with the first position sensor 190, thefirst terminal surface 170 a of the first circuit board 170 may be benttoward the lateral surface of the upper end 710 of the housing 140 inwhich the first position sensor recess 141 b is provided. Consequently,the first position sensor 190, disposed in the first position sensorrecess 141 b, may be in tight contact with the first terminal surface170 a of the first circuit board 170.

The terminals 175-1 to 175-n (n being a natural number greater than 1)may include terminals for receiving power from the outside and supplyingthe power to the first position sensor 190, a terminal for outputtingthe output of the first position sensor 190, and/or a terminal fortesting the first position sensor 190. The number of terminals 175-1 to175-n (n being a natural number greater than 1) formed on the firstcircuit board 170 may be increased or decreased depending on the kind ofelements to be controlled.

The first circuit board 170 may include wires or a wire pattern forconnecting the first pads 174 a to 174 d and the terminals 175-1 to175-n (n being a natural number greater than 1).

The first position sensor 190 may be connected to at least one of theterminals 175-1 to 175-n (n being a natural number greater than 1)formed on the first terminal surface 170 a of the first circuit board170 by soldering. The number of terminals that are connected to thefirst position sensor 190 may be set depending on the type of the firstposition sensor 190.

In another embodiment, the first circuit board 170 and the upper elasticmember 150 may be integrally formed. For example, the first circuitboard 170 may be omitted, and the upper elastic member 150 may include astructure in which a thin film exhibiting heat resistance, chemicalresistance, and bending resistance and a copper foil pattern for circuitwiring are stacked.

In a further embodiment, the first circuit board 170 and the lowerelastic member 160 may be integrally formed. For example, the firstcircuit board 170 may be omitted, and the lower elastic member 160 mayinclude a structure in which a flexible film and a copper foil patternare stacked.

Next, the base 210, the second circuit board 250, and the second coil230 will be described.

FIG. 14 is a disassembled perspective view of the base 210, the secondcircuit board 250, and the second coil 230 shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 14, the base 210 may have a hollow corresponding tothe hollow 101 of the bobbin 110 and/or the hollow 201 of the housing140, and may be formed in a shape coinciding with or corresponding tothe shape of the cover member 300, such as a quadrangular shape.

The base 210 may support the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of thehousing 140. The base 210 may have a location recess 213 formed downward(i.e. recessed) from the upper surface thereof for allowing the lowerframe supporting protrusion 145 of each of the supporting portions 720-1to 720-4 of the housing 140 to be inserted thereinto or supporting thelower frame supporting protrusion 145.

For example, the location recess 213 of the base 210 may be formed inthe upper surface of the base 210 so as to correspond to a secondsidewall 142 of the housing 140.

For easy insertion of the lower frame supporting protrusion 145 of thehousing 140, a portion of the lateral surface of the location recess 213may be exposed toward the hollow of the base 210. That is, the one ofthe lateral surfaces of the location recess 213 of the base 210 thatfaces the hollow of the base 210 may be open.

The lower frame supporting protrusion 145 of the housing 140 may beinserted into the location recess 213 of the base 210, and may be fixedin the location recess 213 using an adhesive member such as epoxy.

The base 210 may be provided in the lateral surface thereof with aterminal surface support recess 210 a, which is recessed inward from thelateral surface by a predetermined depth in order to support a terminalsurface 250 a of the second circuit board 250.

The terminal surface support recess 210 a may be formed in at least oneof the lateral surfaces of the base 210. The terminal surface 250 a ofthe second circuit board 250 may be located in the terminal surfacesupport recess 210 a such that the terminal surface 250 a does notprotrude beyond the outer edge of the base 210 or such that the extentto which the terminal surface 250 a protrudes beyond the outer edge ofthe base 210 is adjustable.

In addition, the base 210 may have a second position sensor locationrecess 215 a formed downward from the upper surface thereof for allowingthe second position sensor 240 a to be disposed therein and a thirdposition sensor location recess 215 b formed downward from the uppersurface thereof for allowing the third position sensor 240 b to bedisposed therein.

A first imaginary line connecting the second position sensor locationrecess and the center of the base 210 and a second imaginary lineconnecting the third position sensor location recess 215 b and thecenter of the base 210 may intersect each other, and the angle formed bythe intersecting first and second imaginary lines may be 90 degrees.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The second and third position sensor location recesses 215 a and 215 bmay be exposed or open out of the lateral surface of the base 210, ormay be open toward the hollow of the base 210. However, the disclosureis not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the second and thirdposition sensor location recesses may be formed downward from the uppersurface.

The second and third position sensor location recesses 215 a and 215 bmay be located at middles of corresponding sides of the upper surface ofthe base 210. For example, the second and third position sensor locationrecesses 215 a and 215 b may correspond to or may be aligned with thecenter or the vicinity of the center of the second coil 230. The centersof the second and third position sensors 240 a and 240 b, disposed inthe position sensor location recesses 215 a and 215 b, may be alignedwith the center of the second coil 230. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto.

The upper surfaces of the second and third position sensors 240 a and240 b, disposed in the second and third position sensor locationrecesses 215 a and 215 b, may be located in the same plane as the uppersurface of the base 210. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, the base 210 may further include a stair 210 b protrudingfrom the lower portion of the outer edge thereof. When the base 210 andthe cover member 300 are coupled to each other, the upper portion of thestair 210 b of the base 210 may guide the cover member 300, and maycontact the lower portion of the cover member 300. The stair 210 b andthe distal end of the cover may be fixed to each other and sealed usingan adhesive.

The base 210 may have a coupling protrusion 212 a protruding from theupper surface thereof for fixing the second circuit board 250.

The coupling protrusion 212 a may be disposed in the upper surface ofthe base 210 adjacent to a corner of the base 210. For example, thecoupling protrusion 212 a may be located between the corner of the base210 and the location recess 213. However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. Two or more coupling protrusion 212 a may be provided, and maybe disposed so as to face each other. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto.

A printed circuit board having an image sensor mounted thereon may becoupled to the lower surface of the base 210 to constitute a cameramodule.

Next, the second and third position sensors 240 a and 240 b will bedescribed.

The second and third position sensors 240 a and 240 b are disposed underthe second circuit board 250. For example, the second and third positionsensors 240 a and 240 b may be disposed in the position sensor locationrecesses 215 a and 215 b of the base 210, respectively, and may sensethe movement of the housing 140 in the second direction and/or the thirddirection.

The second and third position sensors 240 a and 240 b may sense thechange of a magnetic field emitted by the magnet 130. For example, eachof the second and third position sensors 240 a and 240 b may be a Hallsensor. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Any sensorcapable of sensing the change of a magnetic field may be used.

The second and third position sensors 240 a and 240 b may be disposed soas to be aligned with the center of the second coil 230. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto.

The second and third position sensors 240 a and 240 b may be connectedto the second circuit board 250 by soldering.

Next, the second circuit board 250 will be described.

The second coil 230 may be disposed on the upper surface of the secondcircuit board 250, and the position sensors 240 a and 240 b may bedisposed on the lower surface of the second circuit board 250. Theposition sensors 240 a and 240 b, the second coil 230, and the magnet130 may be disposed along the same axis. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto.

The second circuit board 250 may be disposed on the upper surface of thebase 210, and may have a hollow corresponding to the hollow 101 of thebobbin 110, the hollow 201 of the housing 140, and/or the hollow of thebase 210. The shape of the outer edge of the second circuit board 250may be a shape coinciding with or corresponding to the shape of theupper surface of the base 210, such as a quadrangular shape.

The second circuit board 250 may have at least one second terminalsurface 250 a bent from the upper surface thereof. The second terminalsurface 250 a may be provided with a plurality of terminals or pins forreceiving electrical signals from the outside.

For example, the second circuit board 250 may include second coilterminals, second and third position sensor terminals, and first circuitboard terminals on the terminal surface 250 a.

The second coil terminals may be terminals for receiving signals fordriving second coils 230 a to 230 d. For example, eight second coilterminals may be provided to independently drive the four second coils230 a to 230 d. Alternatively, four second coil terminals may beprovided to independently drive the second-directional coils 230 a and230 b and the third-directional coils 230 c and 230 d.

The second coil terminals may be connected to pads 253 of the secondcircuit board 250 via a wire pattern of the second circuit board 250.

The second position sensor terminals may include two input terminals andtwo output terminals, and the third position sensor terminals mayinclude two input terminals and two output terminals. Since the secondposition sensor and the third position sensor may commonly use two inputterminals, however, the number of second and third position sensorterminals may be six.

The first circuit board terminals may be terminals connected to thefirst circuit board 170. Since the first coil 120 and the first positionsensor 190 are connected to the first circuit board 170, the firstcircuit board terminals may include terminals for the first coil 120 andthe first position sensor 190.

For example, in the case in which the first position sensor 190 includesa Hall sensor and a driver for performing I2C communication, fourterminals for a first power VCC, a second power GND, a synchronizationclock signal SCL, and data hit information SDA may be needed.

In the case in which the first position sensor 190 is configured suchthat a Hall sensor and a driver are integrated, four first circuit boardterminals may be provided.

For example, in the case in which the first position sensor 190 isconstituted by the Hall sensor alone, four power terminals are requiredfor the Hall sensor, and therefore four first circuit board terminalsmay be provided.

For example, six first circuit board terminals may be provided in thecase in which the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160 are notdivided, power is supplied to the first coil 120 via the first circuitboard 170, the second circuit board 250, and the elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d, and the first position sensor 190 is constitutedby the Hall sensor alone.

The first circuit board terminals of the second circuit board 250 may beconnected to the first circuit board 170 via the elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d, a description of which will follow.

The second circuit board 250 may be a flexible printed circuit board(FPCB). However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Circuit boardterminals may be formed on the surface of the base 210 using a surfaceelectrode forming method.

The second circuit board 250 may have at least one terminal or pad, towhich the start line or the end line of the second coil 230 isconnected.

For example, the second circuit board 250 may include a first terminal,to which the start lines of the second-directional second coils 230 aand 230 b are connected, a second terminal, to which the end lines ofthe second-directional second coils 230 a and 230 b are connected, athird terminal, to which the start lines of the third-directional secondcoils 230 c and 230 d are connected, and a fourth terminal, to which theend lines of the third-directional second coils 230 c and 230 d areconnected.

The second circuit board 250 may have a through hole 251, into which thecoupling protrusion 212 a of the base 210 is coupled. The circuit board250 may have a plurality of through holes 251, which may face eachother.

For example, the through hole 251 may be disposed between the firstterminal and the third terminal of the second circuit board 250 andbetween the second terminal and the fourth terminal of the secondcircuit board 250.

The second circuit board 250 may have second pads 252 a to 252 d, toeach of which one end of a corresponding one of the elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d is connected. For example, the second pads 252 ato 252 d may be provided with recesses or through holes, into which endsof the elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d are inserted.

The second pads 252 a to 252 d may be disposed adjacent to the cornersof the second circuit board 250. However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto.

The second pads 252.a to 252 d may be connected to a plurality of pinsprovided on terminal surfaces 251 a and 251 b via a wire pattern formedon the second circuit board 250.

Next, the second coil 230 will be described.

The second coils 230 a to 230 d are disposed on the upper surface of thesecond circuit board 250 so as to correspond to or be opposite themagnets 130.

In FIG. 14, the second coils 230 a to 230 d are disposed on the uppersurface of the second circuit board 250. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. In another embodiment, the coils may be included in acircuit board other than the second circuit board 250. The coils may bedisposed so as to be in tight contact with the base 210, or may bedisposed so as to be spaced apart from the base 210 by a predetermineddistance.

The second coils 230 a to 230 d may be aligned with the magnets 130 onthe same axis. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Inanother embodiment, the second coils 230 a to 230 d may be disposed soas to be spaced apart from an imaginary central axis passing through thehollow 101 of the bobbin and the hollow 201 of the housing 140 by adistance greater than or equal to the distance from the magnets 130.

Four second coils 230 a to 230 d may be mounted on the upper surface ofthe second circuit board 250 at intervals. For example, the second coils230 a to 230 d may include second-directional second coils 230 a and 230b aligned so as to be parallel to the second direction andthird-directional second coils 230 c and 230 d aligned so as to beparallel to the third direction.

In another embodiment, the second coils may include onesecond-directional second coil and one third-directional second coil. Ina further embodiment, the second coils may include three or moresecond-directional second coils and three or more third-directionalsecond coils.

In addition, the second coils 230 a to 230 d may be wound in the shapeof a ring or a donut, and may be connected to the second circuit board250.

For example, the second coils 230 a to 230 d may be connected to theterminals of the second circuit board 250.

Next, the elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d will be described.

The elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d connect the first circuitboard 170 and the second circuit board 250.

A first upper surface of the first circuit board 170 may include atleast one first corner region, and a second upper surface of the secondcircuit board 250 may include at least one second corner regioncorresponding to the first corner region. At least one of the elasticsupporting members 220 a to 220 d may be disposed between the firstcorner region and the second corner region.

The first corner region may be a region within a predetermined distancefrom the corner of the first upper surface of the first circuit board170, and the second corner region may be a region within a predetermineddistance from the second upper surface of the second circuit board 250.

For example, the first pads 174 a to 174 d may be provided at the firstcorner region of the first circuit board 170, and the second pads 252 ato 252 d may be provided at the second corner region of the secondcircuit board 250.

For example, one end of each of the elastic supporting members 220 a to220 d may be connected to a corresponding one of the first pads 174 a to174 d of the first circuit board 170, and the other end of each of theelastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d may be connected to acorresponding one of the second pads 252 a to 252 d of the secondcircuit board 250. In addition, the second pads 252 a to 252 d of thesecond circuit board 250 may be connected to the first circuit boardterminals provided on the terminal surface 250 a via the wire pattern ofthe second circuit board 250.

The lens moving apparatus of FIG. 2 may include elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d that face each other. In FIG. 13, the firstcorner region of the first circuit board 170 and the second cornerregion of the second circuit board 250 may be connected to each othervia a single elastic supporting member.

The elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d may be disposed in pointsymmetry with respect to the center of the housing 140 or the center ofthe hollow 201 of the housing 140 in the second and third directions,which are perpendicular to the first direction.

The number of elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d may be greaterthan or equal to the number of first circuit board terminals.

For example, in the case in which the first position sensor 190 isconfigured such that the Hall sensor and the driver are integrated, thenumber of elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d may be four. Inaddition, in the case in which the first position sensor 190 isconstituted by the Hall sensor alone, the number of elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d may be six.

The second pads 252 a to 252 d of the second circuit board 250 may beconnected to the first circuit board terminals formed on the secondterminal surface 250 a of the second circuit board 250.

The elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d may serve as paths throughwhich an electrical signal is transferred between the second circuitboard 250 and the first circuit board 170. The elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d may elastically support the housing 140 withrespect to the base 210.

The elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d may be formed separatelyfrom the upper elastic member 150. For example, leaf springs, coilsprings, or suspension wires may be used as the elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d. In another embodiment, the elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d may be formed integrally with the upper elasticmember 150.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a lens moving apparatus according to anotherembodiment, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the lens movingapparatus shown in FIG. 18. A cover member 300 is omitted from FIGS. 18and 19.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the number of elastic supporting members220-1 to 220-6 shown in FIG. 19 may be six, whereas the lens movingapparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes four elastic supporting members.Except for the number of elastic supporting members, the description ofthe lens moving apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 may be equally applied tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 18.

The elastic supporting members 220-1 to 220-6 may be disposed in pointsymmetry with respect to the center of the housing 140 or the center ofthe hollow 201 of the housing 140 in the second and third directionsperpendicular to the first direction.

For example, the elastic supporting members 220-1 to 220-6 may includefirst elastic supporting members 220-1 and 220-4 disposed in pointsymmetry with respect to the center of the housing 140 or the center ofthe hollow 201 of the housing 140 in the second direction, perpendicularto the first direction, and second elastic supporting members 220-2,220-3, 220-5, and 220-6 disposed in point symmetry with respect to thecenter of the housing 140 in the third direction, perpendicular to thefirst and second directions.

The number of first elastic supporting members 220-1 and 220-4 and thenumber of second elastic supporting members 220-2, 220-3, 220-5, and220-6 may be different from each other. For example, the number ofsecond elastic supporting members 220-2, 220-3, 220-5, and 220-6 may begreater than the number of first elastic supporting members 220-1 and220-4.

The sum of elastic forces of the first elastic supporting members 220-1and 220-4 with respect to the bobbin 110 and the sum of elastic forcesof the second elastic supporting members 220-2, 220-3, 220-5, and 220-6with respect to the bobbin 110 may be equal such that elastic forces ofthe elastic supporting members 220-1 to 220-6 with respect to the bobbin110 in the second direction and the third direction are symmetrical orequal.

For example, since the number of second elastic supporting members220-2, 220-3, 220-5, and 220-6 is greater than the number of firstelastic supporting members 220-1 and 220-4, the modulus of elasticity ofeach of the second elastic supporting members 220-2, 220-3, 220-5, and220-6 may be half the modulus of elasticity of each of the first elasticsupporting members 220-1 and 220-4.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a lens moving apparatus according to anotherembodiment, and FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the lens movingapparatus shown in FIG. 20. A cover member 300 is omitted from FIGS. 20and 21. Except for the number of elastic supporting members, thedescription of the lens moving apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 may beequally applied to the embodiment shown in FIG. 20.

Referring to Ms, 20 and 21, the number of elastic supporting members220-1′ to 220-8′ may be eight. The elastic supporting members 220-1′ to220-8′ may include first elastic supporting members 220-1′, 220-2′,220-5′, and 220-6′ disposed in point symmetry with respect to the centerof the housing 140 in the second direction, perpendicular to the firstdirection, and second elastic supporting members 220-3′, 220-4′, 220-7′,and 220-8′ disposed in point symmetry with respect to the center of thehousing 140 in the third direction, perpendicular to the first andsecond directions.

The number of first elastic supporting members 220-1′ 220-2′, 220-5′,and 220-6′ and the number of second elastic supporting members 220-3′,220-4′, 220-7′, and 220-8′ may be equal. At least one of the first andsecond elastic supporting members 220-1′ to 220-8′ may connect the firstcircuit board 170 and the second circuit board 250. In addition, thefirst and second elastic supporting members 220-1′ to 220-8′ may havethe same modulus of elasticity.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a lens moving apparatus 200according to another embodiment, and FIG. 23 is an assembled perspectiveview of the lens moving apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 22, from which acover member 300 is removed. Elements of the lens moving apparatusidentical to those of the lens moving apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereofwill be given briefly or omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the lens moving apparatus 200 includes acover member 300, an upper elastic member 150, a bobbin 1110, a firstcoil 1120, a housing 140, a first magnet 1130, a lower elastic member160, elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d, a first position sensor190, a second magnet 185, a second coil 230, a second circuit board 250,a base 210, and second and third position sensors 240 a and 240 b.

The lens moving apparatus 200 of FIG. 22 may include the first magnet1130 for driving and the second magnet 185 for sensing, whereas the lensmoving apparatus 100 of FIG. 2 includes only the magnet 130 for driving.

In addition, the first magnet 1130 of the lens moving apparatus 200 maybe disposed on the housing 140, whereas the driving magnet 130 of thelens moving apparatus 100 is disposed on the outer circumferentialsurface of the bobbin 1110.

In addition, the first coil 1120 of the lens moving apparatus 200 may bedisposed on the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 1110,whereas the first coil 120 of the lens moving apparatus 100 is disposedon the housing 140.

FIG. 24 is an assembled perspective view of the upper elastic member150, the second magnet 185, and the bobbin 1110 shown in FIG. 22.

Referring to FIGS. 22 to 24, a magnet location recess 116 having a sizecorresponding to that of the second magnet 185 may be provided in theouter circumferential surface of the bobbin 1110.

The position of the magnet location recess 116 may be set depending onthe position of the second magnet 185 and the position of the first coil1120.

For example, in the case in which the first coil 1120 is located on afirst region P1 of the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 1110,the magnet location recess 116 may be located in a second region P2 ofthe outer circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 1110. On the otherhand, in the case in which the first coil 1120 is located on the secondregion P2 of the outer circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 1110,the magnet location recess 116 may be located in the first region P1 ofthe outer circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 1110.

Here, the first region P1 of the outer circumferential surface 110 a ofthe bobbin 1110 may be a region under a reference line 115-1 of theouter circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 1110, and the secondregion P2 of the outer circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 1110may be a region above the reference line 115-1 of the outercircumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 1110. The reference line115-1 of the outer circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 1110 maybe a line spaced apart from the lower end of the outer circumferentialsurface 110 a of the bobbin 1110 by a reference distance, and thereference distance may be ⅔ to ½ the distance between the upper andlower ends of the outer circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin1110. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The second magnet 185 will be described.

The second magnet 185 may sense or determine the displacement value (orthe position) of the bobbin 1110 in the first direction together withthe first position sensor 190. The second magnet 185 may be divided intotwo in order to increase the intensity of a magnetic field. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto.

The second magnet 185 may be disposed on the outer circumferentialsurface of the bobbin 1110 in the direction perpendicular to the opticalaxis so as not to overlap the first coil 1120.

The second magnet 185 may be disposed in the magnet location recess 116formed in the outer circumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 1110.The magnet location recess 116 may be located as described above,whereby the second magnet 185 may not overlap the first coil 1120 in thedirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

The second magnet 185 may be fixed in the magnet location recess 116using an adhesive member such as epoxy. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. The second magnet 185 may be fixed in the magnetlocation recess 116 by fitting.

In this embodiment, the second magnet 185 is disposed on the outercircumferential surface 110 a of the bobbin 1110, and the first positionsensor 190 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of thehousing 140. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, In another embodiment, the first position sensor 190 may bedisposed on the bobbin 1110, and the second magnet 185 may be disposedon the housing 140. In this case, a surface electrode (not shown) may beformed on the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 1110, andcurrent may be supplied to the first position sensor 190 via the surfaceelectrode (not shown).

The first coil 1120 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface 110a of the bobbin 1110. For example, the first coil 1120 may be disposedon the first region P1 of the outer circumferential surface 110 a of thebobbin 1110 so as not to overlap the second magnet 185.

The first coil 1120 may be wound so as to surround the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 1110 in the rotational directionabout the optical axis.

In another embodiment, the first coil 1120 may include a plurality ofcoil blocks, each of which may be formed in a ring shape. Each of thecoil blocks may be disposed on a corresponding one of first surfaces 115a. Each of the coil blocks may be formed in a polygonal shape, such asan octagonal shape or a circular shape. For example, the ring shape ofeach of the coil blocks may be configured such that at least foursurfaces are flat and corner parts connecting the four surfaces areround or flat.

As shown in FIG. 24, the first coil 1120 may be disposed under thesecond magnet 185 such that the first coil 1120 and the second magnet185 do not overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to theoptical axis or in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the upper elastic member 150, which iscoupled to the housing 140, to which the bobbin 1110 and the firstmagnet 1130 shown in FIG. 22 are mounted.

Referring to FIGS. 22 to 25, the first magnet 1130 is disposed on theouter circumferential surface of the housing so as to correspond to thefirst coil 1120. For example, the first magnet 1130 may be disposed onthe supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140. For example,the first magnet 1130 may be disposed on the first and second lateralsurfaces 720-1 and 720-2 of the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4.

The first magnet 1130 may be fixed to the supporting portions 720-1 to720-4 of the housing 140 using an adhesive or an adhesive member such asa double-sided tape.

One or more first magnets 1130 may be provided. For example, four firstmagnets may be disposed on the first and second lateral surfaces 720-1and 720-2 of the supporting portions 720-1 to 720-4 of the housing 140at intervals.

Except for the difference from the lens moving apparatus shown in FIG. 2in terms of the bobbin 1110, the first coil 1120, the first magnet 1130,and the second magnet 185, the description of the lens moving apparatus100 shown in FIG. 2 may be equally applied to the embodiment 200 shownin FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a lens moving apparatus according toanother embodiment. A cover member 300 is omitted from the lens movingapparatus shown in FIG. 26.

When compared with the embodiment 200 shown in FIG. 23, the embodimentshown in FIG. 26 may further include a first damper DA1, a second damperDA2, and a third damper DA3. In another embodiment, one or two selectedfrom among the first damper DA1, the second damper DA2, and the thirddamper DA3 may be included.

The first damper DA1 may be provided on a part where one end of each ofthe elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d is connected to the firstcircuit board 170. For example, the first damper DA1 may be applied to apart where one end of each of the elastic supporting members 220 a to220 d is bonded to a corresponding one of the first pads 174 a to 174 dof the first circuit board 170.

The second damper DA2 may be provided on a part where the other end ofeach of the elastic supporting members 220 a to 220 d is bonded to thesecond circuit board 250. For example, the second damper DA2 may beapplied to a part where the other end of each of the elastic supportingmembers 220 a to 220 d is bonded to a corresponding one of the secondpads 252.a to 252 d of the second circuit board 250.

The third damper DA3 may be provided between each of the throughrecesses 751 of the housing 140 and a corresponding one of the elasticsupporting members 220 a to 220 d inserted into the through recess 751.The dampers DA1 to DA3 may prevent the occurrence of an oscillationphenomenon during the movement of the bobbin 1110.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a lens moving apparatus according toanother embodiment. A cover member 300 is omitted from the lens movingapparatus shown in FIG. 27.

An upper elastic member 150P shown in FIG. 27 may be formed byintegrating the upper elastic member 150 and the first circuit board 170shown in FIG. 2 or 22.

The upper elastic member 150P shown in FIG. 27 may include an innerframe 151 serving as an elastic supporter, an outer frame 152, and aconnection portion 153. The shape of the upper elastic member 150P maybe the same as the shape of the upper elastic member 150.

The upper elastic member 150P shown in FIG. 27 may include a circuitpattern connected to one end of each of the elastic supporting members220 a to 220 d. For example, wires, each of which is connected to oneend of a corresponding one of the elastic supporting members 220 a to220 d, may be formed on the outer frame 152 of the upper elastic member150P.

In addition, the upper elastic member 150P may have a terminal surface150PA bent downward from one end of the outer frame 152. The terminalsurface 150PA of the upper elastic member 150P may include a pluralityof terminals or pins for receiving electrical signals from the outside.The terminal surface of the upper elastic member 150P may perform thesame function as the first terminal surface 170 a of the first circuitboard 170.

FIG. 28 is a conceptual view illustrating auto focusing and opticalimage stabilization of the lens moving apparatus 100 or 200 according tothe embodiment. Coil 1 may be a second coil 230 a, coil 2 may be asecond coil 230 b, coil 3 may be a second coil 230 c, and coil 4 may bea second coil 230 d.

Referring to FIG. 28, a moving part 60 may be located above the secondcircuit board 250 and the base 210 so as to be spaced apart from thesecond circuit board 250 and the base 210 at the initial positionthereof.

The initial position may be a position where the moving part 60 islocated when the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160 areelastically deformed only by the weight of the moving part 60.

For example, the initial position may be set to a movement distance thatcompensates for about 0.5 to 1.5 degrees. When converting the initialposition into the focal distance of the lens, the initial position maybe a position of the moving part 60 at which the focal distance of thelens becomes about 50 nm to 150 um.

The AF moving part 60 may include the bobbin 110 or 1110 and elementsmounted to the bobbin 110 or 1110. An AF stationary part may include thehousing 140 and elements mounted to the housing 140.

For example, in FIG. 2, the AF moving part 60 may include the magnet130, the bobbin 110, and the lens (not shown) mounted to the bobbin 110,and the AF stationary part may include the housing 140, the cover member300, the base 210, the second coils 230 a to 230 d, and the secondcircuit board 250.

Alternatively, in FIG. 22, the AF moving part 60 may include the bobbin1110, the first coil 1120, and the second magnet 185, and the AFstationary part may include the housing 140, the first magnet 1130, thecover member 300, the base 210, the second coils 230 a to 230 d, and thesecond circuit board 250.

In addition, in FIG. 2, an OIS moving part for optical imagestabilization may include the AF moving part, the upper and lowerelastic members 150 and 160, the first circuit board 170, and the firstposition sensor 190, and an OIS stationary part may include the housing140, the cover member 300, the base 210, the second circuit board 250,and the second coils 230 a to 230 d.

In FIG. 22, the OIS moving part may include the AF moving part, theupper and lower elastic members 150 and 160, the first circuit board170, and the first position sensor 190, and the OIS stationary part mayinclude the housing 140, the cover member 300, the base 210, and thesecond coils 230 a to 230 d.

AF operation serves to move the moving part in the first direction, e.g.in the upward direction (the positive Z-axis direction) and the downwarddirection (the negative Z-axis direction), from the initial positionusing electromagnetic force between the magnet 130 or 1130 and the firstcoil 120 or 1120. For example, the direction of current flowing in thefirst coil 120 or 1120 may be controlled to perform auto focusing. As aresult, it is possible to miniaturize the embodiment and to move themoving part 60 to a desired position using small electromagnetic force.

For example, the bobbin 110 and the base 210 may be spaced apart fromeach other in order to perform auto focusing upward and downward on thebasis of the initial position.

OIS operation serves to move the moving part in the negative X-axisdirection, the positive X-axis direction, the negative Y-axis direction,or the positive Y-axis direction based on a value measured by a gyrosensor using electromagnetic force generated between the magnet 130 or1130 and the second coils 230 a to 230 d.

For OIS operation, the four second coils 230 a to 230 d may beindependently driven. For example, the directions of current flowing inthe four second coils 230 a to 230 d may be independently controlled tomove the moving part 60 along the X axis and/or the Y axis. As a result,image correction may be performed regardless of the direction.

FIG. 29 is a view showing the direction in which a moving part 60 movesunder the control of the second coils 230 a to 230 d according to afirst embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 29, in the table, 0 may indicate that each of thecoils is not driven, and 1 may indicate that each of the coils isdriven. For example, 0 may indicate that no current is supplied to eachof the coils, and 1 may indicate that current is supplied to each of thesecond coils such that electromagnetic force is applied from the movingpart 60 toward the second coil.

Referring to FIG. 29, as the four second coils 230 a to 230 d are drivenindependently, the moving part 60 may move in one direction selectedfrom among the positive X-axis direction, the negative X-axis direction,the positive Y-axis direction, the negative Y-axis direction, thepositive X-axis and positive Y-axis direction, the negative X-axis andpositive Y-axis direction, the positive X-axis and negative Y-axisdirection, and the negative X-axis and negative Y-axis direction, or maynot move in the X-axis direction or in the Y-axis direction.

In addition, as the first coil 120 and the second coils 230 a to 230 dare driven simultaneously, the auto focusing and OIS operations may beperformed simultaneously. For example, the level of the signals providedto the first coil 120 and the second coils 230 a to 230 d may beadjusted to simultaneously perform the auto focusing and OIS operations.

FIG. 30 is a view showing the direction in which the moving part 60moves under the control of the second coils 230 a to 230 d according toa second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 30, two facing second coils 230 a and 230 b may beconnected to each other, two facing second coils 230 c and 230 d may beconnected to each other, and the two pairs of second coils 230 a and 230b and 230 c and 230 d may be driven independently. 0 may indicate thatthe coils are not driven, and +(positive) and (negative) may indicatethat the coils are driven in opposite directions.

When compared with FIG. 29, higher force may be applied to the movingpart 60, since two second coils are connected to each other in FIG. 30.In addition, as the first coil 120 and the second coils 230 a to 230 dare driven simultaneously, the auto focusing and OIS operations may beperformed simultaneously. For example, the level of the signals providedto the first coil 120 and the second coils 230 a to 230 d may beadjusted to simultaneously perform the auto focusing and OIS operations.

FIG. 31 is a view showing the position of the moving part 60 based onthe intensity of current supplied to the first coil 120.

Referring to FIG. 31, the intensity and direction of current supplied tothe first coil 120 may be controlled to move the moving part 60 upwardand downward from the initial position 0.

For example, the upward movement distance (e.g. 200 pin) of the movingpart 60 from the initial position 0 may be greater than the downwardmovement distance (e.g. 100 μm) of the moving part 60 from the initialposition 0. In this case, the consumption of current and voltage in aregion of 50 cm or more, which is the most frequently used region, isminimized. Here, the upward movement distance may be the distance fromthe initial position 0 to an upper stopper of the moving part 60, andthe downward movement distance may be the distance from the initialposition 0 to a lower stopper of the moving part 60.

A camera module according to an embodiment may include the lens movingapparatus 100 or 200, a lens barrel coupled to the bobbin 110 or 1110,an image sensor, and a printed circuit board. The image sensor may bemounted on the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board maydefine the bottom surface of the camera module.

The camera module according to the embodiment may further include aninfrared cut-off filter disposed on one region of the base correspondingto the image sensor. The base 210 may be provided with an additionalterminal member for energizing the printed circuit board of the cameramodule. The terminal may be integrally formed with the base 210 using asurface electrode. Meanwhile, the base 210 may perform a sensor holderfunction of protecting the image sensor. In this case, a protrusion forprotecting the image sensor may be formed along the lateral surface ofthe base 210 so as to extend downward. However, the protrusion is not anindispensable element. In another embodiment, a separate sensor holderfor protecting the image sensor may be disposed at the lower portion ofthe base 210.

In addition, the camera module according to the embodiment may furtherinclude a focus controller for controlling the focus of the lens. Forthe sake of convenience, the focus controller is described withreference to the above-described lens moving apparatus 100 or 200.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the focuscontroller according to the embodiment may be applied to a lens movingapparatus having a configuration different from the above-described lensmoving apparatus in order to perform an auto focusing function.

FIGS. 32A to 32D are views showing a driving algorithm for auto focusingaccording to an embodiment.

In FIG. 32A, the horizontal axis indicates the focal distance, and thevertical axis indicates the displacement in the direction parallel tothe optical axis, such as the positive Z-axis direction and the negativeZ-axis direction. In FIGS. 2313 to 32D, the horizontal axis indicatesthe time, and the vertical axis indicates the displacement.

On the assumption that the optimal focus distance to an object is F1, asshown in FIG. 32A, F1 may be found using the following methods.

A first method will be described with reference to FIG. 32B.

The moving part 60 is moved to a first point P1, which is a point towhich the moving part 60 is maximally movable in the negative Z-axisdirection. Subsequently, a subject is captured while the moving part 60is moved at a predetermined speed from the first point P1 to a secondpoint P2, which is a point to which the moving part 60 is maximallymovable in the positive Z-axis direction, and an optical focus distancecorresponding to an optimal image selected from among captured images isfound.

A second method will be described with reference to FIG. 32C.

The moving part 60 is moved to a second point P2, which is a point towhich the moving part 60 is maximally movable in the positive Z-axisdirection. Subsequently, a subject is captured while the moving part 60is moved at a predetermined speed from the second point P2 to a firstpoint P1, which is a point to which the moving part 60 is maximallymovable in the negative Z-axis direction, and an optical focus distancecorresponding to an optimal image selected from among captured images isfound.

A third method will be described with reference to FIG. 32D.

A subject is captured while the moving part 60 is moved from an initialposition 0 to a first distance d1 in the positive Z-axis direction orthe negative Z-axis direction. Subsequently, the moving part 60 is movedto the initial position 0.

Subsequently, the subject is captured while the moving part 60 is movedfrom the initial position 0 to a second distance d2. At this time, thedirection in which the moving part 60 is moved from the initial position0 to the second distance d2 may be opposite the direction in which themoving part 60 is moved from the initial position 0 to the firstdistance d1.

Subsequently, the subject is captured while the moving part 60 is movedfrom the second distance d2 to the initial position 0. An optical focusdistance corresponding to an optimal image selected from among capturedimages is found.

FIG. 33A is a block diagram of a focus controller 400 according to anembodiment, and FIG. 33B is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an autofocusing control method performed by the focus controller 400 shown inFIG. 33A.

Referring to FIGS. 33A and 33B, the focus controller 400 may control theinteraction between the first coil 120 or 1120 and the magnet 130 or1130 based on subject information to move the bobbin 110 or 1110 in thefirst direction parallel to the optical axis by a first movement amount(or a first displacement amount), thereby performing an auto focusingfunction. To this end, the focus controller 400 may include aninformation acquisition unit 410, a bobbin position searching unit 420,and a movement amount adjustment unit 430.

The information acquisition unit 410 may acquire subject information(S210).

The subject information may include at least one selected from among thedistance between a subject and at least one lens (not shown), thedistance between the subject and the image sensor, the position of thesubject, and the phase of the subject.

The subject information may be acquired using any of various methods.

In an embodiment, the subject information may be acquired using twocameras. In another embodiment, the subject information may be acquiredusing a laser. For example, Korean Patent Application Publication No. P1989-0008573 discloses a method of measuring the distance to an objectusing a laser.

In another embodiment, the subject information may be acquired using asensor.

For example, US Patent Application Publication No. US 2013/0033572discloses a method of acquiring the distance between a camera and asubject using an image sensor.

The bobbin position searching unit 420 may find the focused position ofthe bobbin 110 or 1110 corresponding to the subject information acquiredby the information acquisition unit 410 (S220).

For example, the bobbin position searching unit 420 may include a dataextraction unit 422 and a lookup table (LUT) 424.

The lookup table 424 stores the focused position of the bobbin 110 or1110 in the state of being mapped with the subject information.

For example, the position of the bobbin 110 or 1110 corresponding to anoptimal focus based on the distance between the subject and the lens maybe found in advance and stored in the form of a lookup table 424.

That is, the lookup table 424 may be created at step S230 using thefirst position sensor 190 before the bobbin 110 or 1110 is moved by thefirst movement amount.

For example, a current change value sensed by the first position sensor190 or a displacement value calculated based on a code value correspondto the position of the bobbin 110 or 1110. Consequently, the focusedposition of the bobbin 110 or 1110 based on the subject information,which is the distance between the subject and the lens, may be measuredto create the lookup table 424. At this time, the measured position ofthe bobbin 110 or 1110 may be coded and stored in the lookup table 424.

The data extraction unit 422 may receive the subject informationacquired by the information acquisition unit 410, extract the focusedposition of the bobbin 110 or 1110 corresponding to the subjectinformation from the lookup table 424, and output the extracted positionof the bobbin 110 or 1110 to the movement amount adjustment unit 430.

In the case in which the position of the bobbin 110 or 1110 is coded andstored in the lookup table 424, as described above, the data extractionunit 422 may find a code value corresponding to the subject informationfrom the lookup table 424.

After step S220, the movement amount adjustment unit 430 may move thebobbin 110 or 1110 to the position found by the bobbin positionsearching unit 420 by the first movement amount (or the firstdisplacement amount) (S230).

For example, the movement amount adjustment unit 430 may adjust theamount of current to be supplied to the first coil 120 or 1120 or thecode value to move the bobbin 110 or 1110 in the first direction by thefirst movement amount. To this end, the amount of current for eachposition of the bobbin 110 or 1110 may be set in advance.

For example, as the bobbin 1110 moves in the first direction, the firstposition sensor 190 may sense the change of a magnetic field emittedfrom the second magnet 185 coupled to the bobbin 1110, and may detectthe variation of current output based on the sensed variation of themagnetic field.

The movement amount adjustment unit 430 may calculate or determine thecurrent position of the bobbin 110 or 1110 based on the variation of thecurrent detected by the first position sensor 190, and may set theamount of current to be supplied to move the bobbin 110 or 1110 to afocused position of the bobbin 110 or 1110 by the first movement amountwith reference to the calculated or determined current position of thebobbin 110 or 1110.

FIGS. 34A and 34B are graphs illustrating an auto focusing functionaccording to a comparative example. In FIG. 34A, the horizontal axisindicates the focus value, and the vertical axis indicates thedisplacement. In FIG. 34B, the horizontal axis indicates the current (orthe time), and the vertical axis indicates the displacement (or thecode).

FIGS. 35A and 35B are graphs illustrating an auto focusing functionaccording to an embodiment. In FIG. 35A, the horizontal axis indicatesthe focus value, and the vertical axis indicates the displacement. InFIG. 35B, the horizontal axis indicates the current (or the time), andthe vertical axis indicates the displacement (or the code).

Referring to FIGS. 34A and 34B, the position (or the displacement) 400of the bobbin 110 or 1110 in best focus is found while the amount ofcurrent supplied to the first coil 120 or 1120 is increased from a firstreference focal distance (infinity) to a second reference focal distance(macro).

The first reference focal distance may be a focal distance when thedistance between the lens and the image sensor is the longest, and thesecond reference focal distance may be a focal distance when thedistance between the lens and the image sensor is the shortest. However,the disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the firstreference focal distance may be a focal distance when the distancebetween the lens and the image sensor is the shortest, and the secondreference focal distance may be a focal distance when the distancebetween the lens and the image sensor is the longest.

When current is supplied to the first coil 120, the bobbin 110 or 1110may not be driven for a predetermined initial time P. Subsequently, ascurrent 402 (or a code value 404 corresponding to the variation of themagnetic field sensed by the first position sensor 190) is continuouslyincreased, the displacement of the bobbin 110 or 1110 may be increased.

In the comparative example shown in FIGS. 34A and 34B, the bobbin 110 or1110 is moved from the first reference focal distance to the secondreference focal distance, and then the position 400 of the bobbin 110 or1110 in best focus is found, which may consequently take a long time.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 35A and 35B, on the other hand, a codecorresponding to the focused position of the bobbin 110 or 1110 is foundfrom the lookup table 424 using the subject information, and the bobbin110 or 1110 may be moved to the focus position (or the displacement) 410a by the first movement amount based thereon. When compared with thecomparative example, the amount of time necessary to focus the lens isreduced.

Meanwhile, after the lens is focused through steps S210 to S220, thefocus of the lens may be finely adjusted (S240 to S260).

FIGS. 36A and 36B are graphs illustrating fine adjustment in the autofocusing function according to the embodiment. In FIG. 36A, thehorizontal axis indicates the focus value, and the vertical axisindicates the displacement. In FIG. 36B, the horizontal axis indicatesthe current (or the time), and the vertical axis indicates thedisplacement (or the code).

Referring to FIGS. 36A and 36B, after step S230, at which the bobbin 110or 1110 is moved by the first movement amount, the focus controller 400may move the bobbin 110 or 1110 within the range of a second movementamount, which is smaller than the first movement amount, to find thefocus position of the bobbin 110 or 1110 having the largest frequencymodulation transfer function (MTF) value (S240). Here, the MTF value maybe a numerically expressed resolving power value.

After step S240, the focus controller 400 determines whether the bobbin110 or 1110 has been moved for a predetermined time in order to find thelargest MTF value (S250). Alternatively, the focus controller 400 maydetermine whether the bobbin 110 or 1110 has been moved a predeterminednumber of times in order to find the largest MTF value (S250).Alternatively, the bobbin 110 or 1110 may be moved for more than thepredetermined time or more than the predetermined number of times untilthe largest MTF value is found.

Upon determining that the bobbin 110 or 1110 has been moved for thepredetermined time or the predetermined number of times, the position ofthe bobbin 110 or 1110 having the largest MTF value may be determined asthe final focus position of the bobbin 110 or 1110 (S260).

Through steps S240 to S260, the camera module according to theembodiment may accurately adjust the focus of the lens, therebyimproving resolving power.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the auto focusingcontrol method performed by the focus controller 400 shown in FIG. 33A.

Referring to FIG. 37, steps S210 to S230 shown in FIG. 33B areperformed.

Subsequently, the focus controller 400 determines whether the directionin which the bobbin 110 or 1110 has been moved by the first movementamount is the upward direction or the downward direction from an initialposition of the bobbin 110 or 1110 (S310). Here, the initial position ofthe bobbin 110 or 1110 may be a position of the bobbin 110 or 1110immediately before the bobbin 110 or 1110 is moved by the first movementamount.

For example, in the case in which the bobbin 110 or 1110 has been movedupward from the initial position of the bobbin 110 or 1110, the bobbin110 or 1110 is moved downward by a second movement amount (S320). Sincethe second movement amount is smaller than the first movement amount,the focus controller 400 may finely adjust the position of the bobbin110 or 1110, whereby the focus of the lens may be finely adjusted. Inaddition, for additional fine adjustment in the downward direction,steps S240 to S260, shown in FIG. 33B, may be performed.

On the other hand, in the case in which the bobbin 110 or 1110 has beenmoved downward from the initial position of the bobbin 110 or 1110, thebobbin 110 or 1110 is moved upward by the second movement amount (S330).In addition, for additional fine adjustment in the upward direction,steps S240 to S260 shown in FIG. 33B may be performed.

FIG. 38 is a schematic sectional view of a lens moving apparatus 1200Aaccording to another embodiment.

The lens moving apparatus 1200A shown in FIG. 38 may include astationary part 1210, a moving part 1220, lower and upper springs 1230and 1240, a bipolar magnetized magnet 1250, and a position sensor 1260.For example, the position sensor 1260 may be a position detection sensoror a driver including a position detection sensor.

The stationary part 1210 includes a lower portion 1212, a lateralportion 1214, and an upper portion 1216.

When the moving part 1220 of the lens moving apparatus 1200A moves inone direction of an optical axis, the lower portion 1212 of thestationary part 1210 may support the moving part 1220 in an initialstationary state. Alternatively, the moving part 1220 may be supportedin the initial stationary state by the lower and/or the upper springs1230 and/or 1240 in the state in which the moving part is spaced apartfrom the lower portion 1212 of the stationary part 1210 by apredetermined distance.

In addition, the lateral portion 214 of the stationary part 1210 maysupport the lower spring 1230 and the upper spring 1240. However, thelower portion 1212 and/or the upper portion 1216 of the stationary part1210 may support the lower spring 1230 and/or the upper spring 1240.

For example, the stationary part 1210 may correspond to the housing 140of the above-described lens moving apparatus 100. The stationary part1210 may include the cover member 300, and may further include the base210.

At least one lens (not shown) may be mounted in the moving part 1220.For example, the moving part 1220 may correspond to the bobbin 1110 ofthe above-described lens moving apparatus 200. However, the disclosureis not limited thereto.

Although not shown, the lens moving apparatus 1200A may further includea first coil and a magnet. The first coil and the magnet included in thelens moving apparatus 1200A may face each other in order to move themoving part 1220 in the optical-axis direction of the lens, i.e. thez-axis direction.

For example, the first coil and the magnet may correspond respectivelyto the first coil 1120 and the first magnet 1130 of the above-describedlens moving apparatus 200. However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto.

The moving part 1220 is shown as moving in one direction of the opticalaxis (i.e. in the positive z-axis direction). In another embodiment, adescription of which will follow, the moving part 1220 may move in bothopposite directions of the optical axis (i.e. in the positive z-axisdirection and the negative z-axis direction).

Meanwhile, the first position sensor 1260 may sense a first displacementvalue of the moving part 1220 in the optical-axis direction, i.e. thez-axis direction. The first position sensor 1260 may sense a magneticfield emitted by the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250, and may outputvoltage having a level that is proportional to the intensity of thesensed magnetic field.

In order for the first position sensor 1260 to sense a magnetic fieldthe intensity of which is changed linearly, the bipolar magnetizedmagnet 1250 may be opposite the first position sensor 1260 in the y-axisdirection, which is a magnetized direction at which opposite polaritiesare disposed on the basis of a plane perpendicular to the optical-axisdirection.

For example, the first position sensor 1260 may correspond to the firstposition sensor 190 of the above-described lens moving apparatus 200,and the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 may correspond to the firstmagnet 1130 of the above-described lens moving apparatus 200. However,the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 may be classified as a ferritemagnet, an alnico magnet, or a rare-earth magnet based on the kind ofmagnet. The bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 may be classified as a P-typemagnet or an F-type magnet based on the type of magnetic circuit.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 may include a lateral surface thatfaces the first position sensor 1260. The lateral surface may include afirst lateral surface 1252 and a second lateral surface 1254. The firstlateral surface 1252 may be a surface having a first polarity, and thesecond lateral surface 1254 may be a surface having a second polarity,which is opposite the first polarity. The second lateral surface 1254may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from the first lateral surface1252 or to abut on the first lateral surface 1252 in the directionparallel to the optical-axis direction, i.e. the z-axis direction. Afirst length L1 of the first lateral surface 1252 in the optical-axisdirection may be equal to or greater than a second length L2 of thesecond lateral surface 1254 in the optical-axis direction.

In addition, the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 may be figured such thata first magnetic flux density of the first lateral surface 1252 havingthe first polarity is greater than a second magnetic flux density of thesecond lateral surface 1254 having the second polarity.

The first polarity may be an S pole, and the second polarity may be an Npole. Alternatively, the first polarity may be an N pole, and the secondpolarity may be an S pole.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are sectional views respectively showing embodiments1250A and 1250B of the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 shown in FIG. 38.

Referring to FIG. 39A, the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250A may includefirst and second sensing magnets 1250A-1 and 1250A-2. In addition, thebipolar magnetized magnet 1250A may further include a non-magneticpartition wall 1250A-3.

Referring to FIG. 39B, the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250B may includefirst and second sensing magnets 1250B-1 and 1250B-2. In addition, thebipolar magnetized magnet 1250A may further include a non-magneticpartition wall 1250B-3.

The first and second sensing magnets 1250A-1 and 1250A-2 shown in FIG.39A may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other or to abuton each other in the direction parallel to the optical-axis direction(i.e. the z-axis direction).

On the other hand, the first and second sensing magnets 1250B-1 and1250B-2 shown in FIG. 39B may be disposed so as to be spaced apart fromeach other or to abut on each other in the direction perpendicular tothe optical-axis direction or the magnetized direction (i.e. the y-axisdirection).

The bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 shown in FIG. 38 is shown as a magnethaving the structure shown in FIG. 39A, but may be replaced with amagnet having the structure shown in FIG. 39B.

In addition, the non-magnetic partition wall 1250A-3 shown in FIG. 39Amay be disposed between the first and second sensing magnets 1250A-1 and1250A-2, and the non-magnetic partition wall 1250B-3 shown in FIG. 39Bmay be disposed between the first and second sensing magnets 1250B-1 and1250B-2.

The non-magnetic partition wall 1250A-3 or 1250B-3, which is a portionthat has substantially no magnetism, may include a section having weakpolarity. In addition, the non-magnetic partition wall 1250A-3 or1250B-3 may be filled with air or a non-magnetic material.

In addition, a third length L3 of the non-magnetic partition wall1250A-3 or 1250B-3 may be 5% or more or 50% or less the total length LTof the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250A or 1250B in the directionparallel to the optical-axis direction.

FIG. 40 is a graph illustrating the operation of the lens movingapparatus 1200A shown in FIG. 38. The horizontal axis may indicate themovement distance of the moving part in the optical-axis direction orthe direction parallel to the optical-axis direction, i.e. the z-axisdirection, and the vertical axis may indicate the magnetic field sensedby the first position sensor 1260 or the output voltage output from thefirst position sensor 1260. The first position sensor 1260 may outputvoltage having a level that is proportional to the intensity of amagnetic field.

As shown in FIG. 38, the height z (=zh) of the center 1261 of the firstposition sensor 1260 may be equal to or higher than the height of animaginary horizontal surface HS1 extending from the upper end 1251 ofthe first lateral surface 1252 in the magnetized direction, i.e. they-axis direction, in an initial state before the lens is moved in theoptical-axis direction, i.e. in an initial state in which the movingpart 1220, in which the lens is mounted, is not moved but is stationary.At this time, a sensing element of the first position sensor 1260 may belocated on the center 1261 of the first position sensor 1260.

In this case, referring to FIG. 40, the intensity of a magnetic fieldthat can be sensed by the first position sensor 1260 may be a value BOthat is approximate to ‘0’ but is not ‘0’. In this initial state, themoving part 1220, which has a lens mounted therein and is movable onlyin one direction, i.e. in the positive z-axis direction, is located atthe lowest position.

FIG. 41 is a view showing the state in which the lens moving apparatus1200A shown in FIG. 38 has been moved in the optical-axis direction, andFIG. 42 is a graph showing the displacement of the moving part 1220based on current supplied to the first coil in the lens moving apparatus1200A according to the embodiment. The horizontal axis indicates thecurrent supplied to the first coil, and the vertical axis indicates thedisplacement of the moving part 1220.

Referring to the above figures, the moving part 1220 may move in thepositive z-axis direction as the intensity of current supplied to thefirst coil is increased. As shown in FIG. 41, the moving part 1220 maymove upward by a first distance z (=z1) in the positive z-axisdirection. In this case, referring to FIG. 40, the intensity of amagnetic field that can be sensed by the first position sensor 1260 maybe B1.

Subsequently, when the intensity of current supplied to the first coilis reduced or when the supply of current to the first coil isinterrupted, the moving part 1220 may move downward to the initialposition thereof, as shown in FIG. 38.

In order for the moving part 1220 to move upward from the position shownin FIG. 38 to the position shown in FIG. 41, the electric force of themoving part 1220 must be higher than the mechanical force of the lowerand upper springs 1230 and 1240.

In addition, in order for the moving part 1220 to return to the initialposition shown in FIG. 38 from the highest position shown in FIG. 41,the electric force of the moving part 1220 must be equal to or lowerthan the mechanical force of the lower and upper springs 1230 and 1240.That is, after moving upward in the positive z-axis direction, themoving part 1220 may return to the original position thereof due to therestoring force of the lower and upper springs 1230 and 1240.

The lower spring 1230 may include first and second lower springs 1232and 1234, and the upper spring 1240 may include first and second uppersprings 1242 and 1244. The lower spring 1230 is shown as being dividedinto the first and second lower springs 1232 and 1234. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the first and second lowersprings 1232 and 1234 may be formed integrally.

Similarly, the upper spring 1240 is shown as being divided into thefirst and second upper springs 1242 and 1244. However, the disclosure isnot limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper spring 1240 may notbe divided, but may be a single member.

For example, the lower spring 1230 and the upper spring 1240 maycorrespond to the lower and upper elastic members 160 and 150 of theabove-described lens moving apparatus 200, respectively. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto.

In the case in which the height z (=zh) of the center 1261 of the firstposition sensor 1260 is aligned with one of the first and second lateralsurfaces 1252 and 1254, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 41, the magnetic fieldsensed by the first position sensor 1260 may have only one of the firstand second polarities. When the intensity of the first orsecond-polarity magnetic field is changed linearly, therefore, the firstposition sensor 1260 may sense the first or second-polarity magneticfield that is changed linearly.

Referring to FIG. 40, while the first moving part 1220 moves from thelowest position (e.g. 0), as shown in FIG. 38, to the highest position(e.g. Z1), as shown in FIG. 41, it can be seen that the intensity of themagnetic field sensed by the first position sensor 1260 is almostlinearly changed.

Referring to FIGS. 40 and 41, it can be seen that the maximumdisplacement D1 of the moving part 1220 of the lens moving apparatus1200A shown in FIG. 38 is z1.

FIG. 43 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus 1200B accordingto another embodiment.

In the lens moving apparatus 1200B shown in FIG. 43, the height z (=zh)of the center 1261 of the first position sensor 1260 may face or may bealigned with a first point of the first lateral surface 1252 in themagnetized direction, i.e. the y-axis direction, in an initial statebefore the lens is moved in the optical-axis direction, unlike the lensmoving apparatus 1200A shown in FIG. 38. Here, the first point may be acertain point between the upper end 1252 a and the lower end 1252 b ofthe first lateral surface 1252, e.g. a middle point of the first lateralsurface 1252.

In a state before the moving part 1220 is moved, the bipolar magnetizedmagnet 1250 of the lens moving apparatus 1200B shown in FIG. 43 may behigher than the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 of the lens movingapparatus 1200A shown in FIG. 38 by a predetermined distance z2-zh. Inthis case, referring to FIG. 40, the lowest value of the first-polaritymagnetic field sensed by the first position sensor 1260 may be B2, whichis greater than B0.

In the lens moving apparatus 1200B shown in FIG. 43, the moving part1220 may move upward to the maximum height z1 as current is supplied tothe first coil, like the lens moving apparatus 1200A shown in FIG. 41.At this time, the maximum upward height of the moving part 1220 may bechanged by adjusting the modulus of each of the lower and upper springs1230 and 1240.

Even in the lens moving apparatus 1200B shown in FIG. 43, it can be seenthat the intensity of the magnetic field sensed by the first positionsensor 1260 is almost linearly changed from B2 to B1, like the lensmoving apparatus 1200A shown in FIGS. 38 and 41.

Referring to FIG. 42, it can be seen that the maximum displacement D1 ofthe moving part 1220 of the lens moving apparatus 1200B shown in FIG. 43is z1-z2.

FIG. 44 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus 1200C accordingto another embodiment.

In the lens moving apparatus 1200A or 1200B shown in FIG. 38, 41, or 43,the first lateral surface 1252 is located above the second lateralsurface 1254.

In the lens moving apparatus 1200C shown in FIG. 44, on the other hand,the second lateral surface 1254 may be located above the first lateralsurface 1252. With the exception that the second lateral surface 1254,which is long, of the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 is disposed belowthe first lateral surface 1252, which is short, of the bipolarmagnetized magnet 1250, the lens moving apparatus 1200C shown in FIG. 44is identical to the lens moving apparatus 1200A or 1200B shown in FIG.38 or 43. Consequently, the same reference numerals are used, and adescription of the same elements will be omitted.

FIGS. 45A and 45B are sectional views respectively showing embodiments1250C and 1250D of the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 shown in FIG. 44.

Referring to FIG. 45A, the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250C may includefirst and second sensing magnets 1250C-1 and 1250C-2. In addition, thebipolar magnetized magnet 1250C may further include a non-magneticpartition wall 1250C-3.

Referring to FIG. 45B, the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250D may includefirst and second sensing magnets 1250D-1 and 1250D-2. In addition, thebipolar magnetized magnet 1250D may further include a non-magneticpartition wall 1250D-3.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 45A, the first and second sensingmagnets 1250C-1 and 1250C-2 may be disposed so as to be spaced apartfrom each other or to abut on each other in the direction parallel tothe optical-axis direction (i.e. the z-axis direction).

As shown in FIG. 45B, the first and second sensing magnets 1250D-1 and1250D-2 may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other or toabut on each other in the direction perpendicular to the optical-axisdirection or the magnetized direction (i.e. the y-axis direction).

The bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 shown in FIG. 44 is shown as a magnethaving the structure shown in FIG. 45A, but may be replaced with amagnet having the structure shown in FIG. 45B.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 45A, the non-magnetic partition wall1250C-3 may be disposed between the first and second sensing magnets1250C-1 and 1250C-2. As shown in FIG. 45B, the non-magnetic partitionwall 1250D-3 may be disposed between the first and second sensingmagnets 1250D-1 and 1250D-2. The non-magnetic partition wall 1250C-3 or1250D-3, which is a portion that has substantially no magnetism, mayinclude a section having weak polarity. In addition, the non-magneticpartition wall 1250C-3 or 1250D-3 may be filled with air or may includea non-magnetic material.

In addition, a third length L3 of the non-magnetic partition wall1250C-3 may be 5% or more or 50% or less the total length LT of thebipolar magnetized magnet 1250C in the direction parallel to theoptical-axis direction.

Referring to FIGS. 44 and 45A, the height z (=zh) of the center 1261 ofthe first position sensor 1260 may be opposite or may coincide with thenon-magnetic partition wall 1250C-3 (or the space between the firstlateral surface 1252 and the second lateral surface 1254) in themagnetized direction, i.e. the y-axis direction, in an initial statebefore the lens is moved in the optical-axis direction.

The upper end 1253 of the first lateral surface 1252 of the bipolarmagnetized magnet 1250 may be aligned with an imaginary horizontalsurface HS2 extending from the height z (=zh) of the center 1261 of thefirst position sensor 1260 in the magnetized direction, i.e. the y-axisdirection. In addition, the center 1261 of the first position sensor1260 may be located in, or aligned with, a space between the upper end1253 of the first lateral surface 1252 and the lower end 1254 a of thesecond lateral surface 1254 in the magnetized direction, i.e. the y-axisdirection. In addition, the center 1261 of the first position sensor1260 may be aligned with the lower end 1254 a of the second lateralsurface 1254 of the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 in the magnetizeddirection, i.e. the y-axis direction.

In the case in which the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 and the firstposition sensor 1260 are disposed, as shown in FIG. 44, in the state inwhich the moving part is not moved but is stationary, the intensity ofthe first-polarity magnetic field sensed by the first position sensor1260 may be ‘0’.

As shown in FIGS. 39A and 45A, the first lateral surface 1252 of thebipolar magnetized magnet 1250 may correspond to the lateral surface ofthe first sensing magnet 1250A-1 or 1250C-1 facing the first positionsensor 1260.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 39A and 45A, the second lateral surface1254 of the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 may correspond to the lateralsurface of the second sensing magnet 1250A-2 or 1250C-2 facing the firstposition sensor 1260.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 39B or 45B, the first and second lateralsurfaces 1252 and 1254 may correspond to the lateral surface of thefirst sensing magnet 1250B-1 or 1250D-1 facing the first position sensor1260.

FIG. 46 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus 1200D accordingto another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 46, the center 1261 of the first position sensor 1260may face or may be aligned with a first point of the first lateralsurface 1252 in the magnetized direction, i.e. the y-axis direction, inan initial state before the lens is moved in the optical-axis direction.Here, the first point may be a certain point between the upper end 1252a and the lower end 1252 b of the first lateral surface 1252, e.g. amiddle point of the first lateral surface 1252.

In a state before the moving part 1220 is moved, the bipolar magnetizedmagnet 1250 of the lens moving apparatus 1200F shown in FIG. 46 may behigher than the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 of the lens movingapparatus 1200C shown in FIG. 44 by a predetermined distance z2-zh. Inthis case, referring to FIG. 40, the lowest value of the first-polaritymagnetic field sensed by the first position sensor 1260 may be B2.

In the lens moving apparatus 1200D shown in FIG. 46, the moving part1220 may move upward to the maximum height z1 as current is supplied tothe first coil, like the lens moving apparatus 1200A. At this time, themaximum upward height of the moving part 1220 may be changed using amechanical stopper. Alternatively, the maximum upward height of themoving part 1220 may be changed by adjusting the modulus of each of thelower and upper springs 1230 and 1240.

Even in the lens moving apparatus 1200D shown in FIG. 46, it can be seenthat the intensity of the first-polarity magnetic field sensed by thefirst position sensor 1260 is almost linearly changed from B2 to B1,like the lens moving apparatus 1200A shown in FIGS. 38 and 41.

Referring to FIG. 42, it can be seen that the maximum displacement D1 ofthe moving part 1220 of the lens moving apparatus 1200D shown in FIG. 46is z1-z2.

In the lens moving apparatuses 1200A, 1200B, 1200C, and 1200D shown inFIGS. 38, 41, 43, 44, and 46, the moving part 1220 may be movable fromthe initial position in only one direction of the optical axis, i.e. inthe positive z-axis direction. However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto.

In another embodiment, the lens moving apparatus may be movable from theinitial position in opposite directions of the optical axis, i.e. in thepositive z-axis direction or in the negative z-axis direction, ascurrent is supplied to the first coil. The construction and operation ofthe lens moving apparatus according to this embodiment are as follows.

FIG. 47 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus 1200E accordingto another embodiment.

The lens moving apparatus 1200E shown in FIG. 47 moves from the initialposition in the positive z-axis direction or in the negative z-axisdirection, unlike the above-described lens moving apparatuses 1200A and1200B. Consequently, the moving part 1220 may be suspended by the upperand lower springs 1230 and 1240 at the initial position. With thisexception, elements of the lens moving apparatus 1200E shown in FIG. 47are identical to those of the above-described lens moving apparatus1200A or 1200B, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 47, the center 1261 of the first position sensor 1260may face or may be aligned with a first point of the first lateralsurface 1252 in the magnetized direction in an initial state before thelens is moved in the optical-axis direction, i.e. in an initial state inwhich the moving part 1220 is not moved but is stationary. Here, thefirst point of the first lateral surface 1252 may be a certain pointbetween the upper end 1252 a and the lower end 1252 b of the firstlateral surface 1252, e.g. a middle point of the first lateral surface1252.

FIG. 48 is a sectional view of a lens moving apparatus 1200F accordingto another embodiment.

The lens moving apparatus 1200F shown in FIG. 48 move from the initialposition in the positive z-axis direction or in the negative z-axisdirection, unlike the above-described lens moving apparatuses 1200C and1200D shown in FIGS. 44 and 46. Consequently, the moving part 1220 maybe suspended by the upper and lower springs 1230 and 1240 at the initialposition. With this exception, elements of the lens moving apparatus1200F shown in FIG. 48 are identical to those of the above-describedlens moving apparatus 1200C or 1200D, and therefore a descriptionthereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 48, the center 1261 of the first position sensor 1260may face or may be aligned with a first point of the first lateralsurface 1252 in the magnetized direction in an initial state before thelens is moved in the optical-axis direction. Here, the first point maybe a certain point between the upper end 1252 a and the lower end 1252 bof the first lateral surface 1252, e.g. a middle point of the firstlateral surface 1252.

In the lens moving apparatus 1200E or 1200F shown in FIG. 47 or 48, theupward and downward movement of the moving part 1220 may be the same asthat in FIG. 40. Consequently, the operation of the lens movingapparatus 1200E or 1200F shown in FIG. 47 or 48 will be described withreference to FIG. 40.

In the lens moving apparatus 1200E or 1200F, in the state in which thefirst position sensor 1260 and the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 aredisposed, as shown in FIG. 47 or 48, in an initial state before the lensis moved in the optical-axis direction, i.e. in the state in which themoving part 1220 is not moved upward or downward but is stationary, orat an initial position, the first-polarity magnetic field sensed by thefirst position sensor 1260 may become 132. The initial value of amagnetic field sensed by the first position sensor 1260 in the state inwhich the moving part 1220 is not moved upward or downward but isstationary or at the initial position may be changed or adjusted by thedistance between the first position sensor 1260 and the bipolarmagnetized magnet 1250.

FIG. 49 is a graph showing the displacement of the moving part 1220based on current supplied to the first coil in the lens moving apparatus1200E or 1200F shown in FIGS. 47 and 48. The horizontal axis indicatesthe current supplied to the first coil, and the vertical axis indicatesthe displacement. In addition, the right side of the horizontal axis onthe basis of the vertical axis may mean forward current or positive (+)current, and the left side of the horizontal axis on the basis of thevertical axis may mean reverse current or negative (−) current.

As the intensity of forward current supplied to the first coil isincreased in the state in which the moving part 1220 is not moved upwardor downward but is stationary, as shown in FIG. 47 or 48, or at theinitial position, the moving part 1220 may move upward a predetermineddistance z (=z4) in the positive z-axis direction. In this case,referring to FIG. 40, the intensity of the magnetic field sensed by thefirst position sensor 1260 may be increased from B3 to B4.

Alternatively, in the case in which the intensity of reverse currentsupplied to the first coil is increased in the state in which the movingpart 1220 is not moved upward or downward but is stationary, as shown inFIG. 47 or 48, or at the initial position or in the case in whichforward current supplied to the first coil is decreased after the movingpart 1220 is moved in the positive z-axis direction, the moving part1220 may be moved downward.

Referring to FIG. 40, in the case in which the intensity of reversecurrent supplied to the first coil at the initial position is increased,the intensity of the magnetic field sensed by the first position sensor1260 may be decreased from B3 to B5. In addition, in the case in whichforward current supplied to the first coil is decreased after the movingpart 1220 is moved the predetermined distance z (=z4) in the positivez-axis direction, the intensity of the magnetic field sensed by thefirst position sensor 1260 may be decreased from B4 to B3.

In the lens moving apparatus 1200E or 1200F shown in FIG. 47 or 48,therefore, it can be seen that the intensity of first-polarity magneticfield sensed by the first position sensor 1260 is almost linearlychanged from B5 to B4.

Referring to FIG. 49, in the state in which the moving part 1220 ismovable in opposite directions, as described above, the upperdisplacement width D3 and the lower displacement width D2 of the movingpart 1220 may be the same, or the upper displacement width D3 may begreater than the lower displacement width D2.

In the case in which the upper displacement width D3 and the lowerdisplacement width D2 are the same, the height z (=zh) of the center1261 of the first position sensor 1260 may aligned with the first pointin the magnetized direction, i.e. the y-axis direction, in the initialstate before the lens is moved in the optical-axis direction.

On the other hand, in the case in which the upper displacement width D3is greater than the lower displacement width D2, the center 1261 of thefirst position sensor 1260 may face or may be aligned with a secondpoint, which is higher than the first point, in the magnetizeddirection, i.e. the y-axis direction, in the initial state before thelens is moved in the optical-axis direction or at the initial position.That is, in the case in which the upper displacement width D3 and thelower displacement width D2 are not the same but the upper displacementwidth D3 is greater than the lower displacement width D2, the firstposition sensor 1260 may be higher than the bipolar magnetized magnet1250.

In this case, the difference between the second point and the firstpoint may be calculated as represented in Equation 1.

$\begin{matrix}{{\Delta\; h} = {{H\; 2\text{\textasciitilde}H\; 1} = {\frac{\Delta\; D}{2} \pm \frac{D}{2}}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$

Where H2 may indicate the height of the second point, H1 may indicatethe height of the first point, ΔD may indicate the value obtained bysubtracting the lower displacement width D2 from the upper displacementwidth D3 of the moving part 1220, and D may indicate the totaldisplacement width D2+D3 of the moving part 1220.

FIG. 50 is a graph showing the intensity of a magnetic field (or outputvoltage) sensed by the first position sensor 1260 based on the movementdistance of the moving part 1220 in the optical-axis direction invarious states in which the first position sensor 1260 is opposite thebipolar magnetized magnet 1250-1 or 1250-2. The vertical axis indicatesthe intensity of the magnetic field (or the output voltage), and thehorizontal axis indicates the movement distance of the moving part 1220.

In the graph shown in FIG. 50, the structure in which the bipolarmagnetized magnet 1250 is opposite the first position sensor 1260corresponds to the structure of the first and second bipolar magnetizedmagnets 1250A-1 and 1250A-2 shown in FIG. 39A. However, even in the casein which the first and second bipolar magnetized magnets 1250B-1 and11250B-2 shown in FIG. 39B, the first and second bipolar magnetizedmagnets 1250C-1 and 1250C-2 shown in FIG. 46A, or the first and secondbipolar magnetized magnets 1250D-1 and 1250D-2 shown in FIG. 46B may bedisposed so as to be opposite the first position sensor 1260, in placeof the first and second bipolar magnetized magnets 1250A-1 and 1250A-2shown in FIG. 39A, the following description of FIG. 50 will equallyapply.

Referring to FIG. 50, the magnetic field which is sensed by the firstposition sensor 1260 and the intensity of which is changed linearly, asdescribed above, may be a first-polarity magnetic field, e.g. an S-polemagnetic field 1272. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.That is, in another embodiment, the magnetic field which is sensed bythe first position sensor 1260 and the intensity of which is changedlinearly, as described above, may be a second-polarity magnetic field,e.g. an N-pole magnetic field 1274.

In the case in which the magnetic field which is sensed by the firstposition sensor 1260 and the intensity of which is changed linearly isnot a first-polarity magnetic field but is a second-polarity magneticfield, i.e. an N-pole magnetic field 1274, the center 1261 of the firstposition sensor 1260 may face or may be aligned with a first point ofthe second lateral surface 1254 in the initial state before the lens ismoved in the optical-axis direction, i.e. in the z-axis direction, or atthe initial position, as shown in FIG. 50.

Here, the first point may be a certain point between the upper end andthe lower end of the second lateral surface 1254, e.g. a middle heightof the second lateral surface 1254. Subsequently, when the lens is movedto the highest position in the optical-axis direction, i.e. in thepositive z-axis direction, the center 1261 of the first position sensor1260 may coincide with a point lower than the lower end of the secondlateral surface 1254. At this time, the height of the center 1261 of thefirst position sensor 1260 may be lower than the height of the lower endof the second lateral surface 1254.

In addition, a first period BP1, in which the S-pole magnetic field 1272is linear, is larger than a second period BP2, in which the N-polemagnetic field 1274 is linear. The reason for this is that the firstlength L1 of the first lateral surface 1252 having the S pole is greaterthan the second length L2 of the second lateral surface 1254 having theN pole.

However, in the case in which the first lateral surface 1252 having thefirst length L1, which is greater than the second length L2, has an Npole and the second lateral surface 1254 having the second length L2 hasan N pole, reference numeral 1272 shown in FIG. 50 may indicate anN-pole magnetic field, and reference numeral 1274 shown in FIG. 50 mayindicate an S-pole magnetic field. Although not shown, when the polesare changed as described above, the polarity of the Y axis may bereversed.

FIGS. 51A and 51B are graphs showing the intensity-based displacement ofthe magnetic field sensed by the first position sensor 1260. In eachgraph, the horizontal axis indicates the magnetic field, and thevertical axis indicates the displacement.

In the case in which the first position sensor 1260 and the bipolarmagnetized magnet 1250 are disposed in order to sense the magnetic fieldin the first period BP1, which has a larger linear period than thesecond period BP2 shown in FIG. 50, the displacement may be recognizedeven in the case in which the change of the sensed magnetic field isslight, as shown in FIG. 51A.

On the other hand, in the case in which t first position sensor 1260 andthe bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 are disposed in order to sense themagnetic field in the second period BP2, which has a smaller linearperiod than the first period BP1 shown in FIG. 50, the extent to whichfine displacement is recognized in the case in which the change of thesensed magnetic field is slight, as shown in FIG. 51B, is smaller thanthat in FIG. 51A. That is, the inclination in FIG. 51A and theinclination in FIG. 51B may be different from each other.

Consequently, in the case in which the first position sensor 1260 andthe bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 are disposed in order to sense themagnetic field in the first period BP1, which is larger than the secondperiod BP2, as shown in FIG. 51A, it is possible to sense thedisplacement at higher resolution. That is, the wider the linear periodin which the intensity of the magnetic field is changed, the moreaccurately it is possible to check the change in displacement of a codedmagnetic field.

In addition, in this embodiment, the intensity of a magnetic field thatis sensed by the position sensor 1260 and has a linearly changed sizemay be coded in 7 bits to 12 bits. In this case, a controller (notshown) may include a lookup table (not shown), and may accuratelycontrol the displacement of the moving part 1220 through the positionsensor 1260.

The lookup table may store code values based on the intensity of amagnetic field in the state of being matched with the displacement. Forexample, referring to FIG. 40, the intensity of the magnetic field fromthe minimum magnetic field B0 to the maximum magnetic field B1 may becoded in 7 bits to 12 bits in the state of being matched with thedisplacement z. In order to control the displacement of the moving part1220, therefore, a corresponding code value may be found, and thecontroller may move the moving part 1220 to the position matching thefound code value in the optical-axis direction. The controller may bedisposed or included in an image sensor. Alternatively, the controllermay be disposed or included in a circuit board having an image sensormounted thereon.

In addition, in the above-described lens moving apparatuses 1200A to1200F, the length LT of the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 in the z-axisdirection, which is parallel to the optical-axis direction, may be 1.5times or more the movable width, i.e. the maximum displacement, of themoving part 1220. For example, referring to FIGS. 38 and 41, the movablewidth, i.e. the maximum displacement, of the moving part 1220 is z1;therefore, the length LT of the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 may be1.5×z1 or more.

In addition, in the above-described lens moving apparatuses 1200A to1200F, the position sensor 1260 is coupled to, in contact with,supported by, temporarily fixed to, inserted into, or located in thestationary part 1210, and the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250 is coupledto, in contact with, supported by, fixed to, temporarily fixed to,inserted into, or located in the moving part 1220. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto.

That is, in another embodiment, the position sensor 1260 may be coupledto, in contact with, supported by, temporarily fixed to, inserted into,or located in the moving part 1220, and the bipolar magnetized magnet1250 may be coupled to, in contact with, supported by, fixed to,temporarily fixed to, inserted into, or located in the stationary part1210. In this case, the above description may be applied.

FIG. 52 is a graph illustrating the change in intensity of a magneticfield based on the movement distance of a moving part 1220 of a lensmoving apparatus according to a comparative example. The horizontal axisindicates the movement distance, and the vertical axis indicates theintensity of the magnetic field.

In the case in which the first and second lengths L1 and L2 of the firstand second lateral surfaces 1252 and 1254 of the bipolar magnetizedmagnet 1250 in the optical-axis direction are the same, the magneticfield sensed by the position sensor 1260 may be changed, as shown inFIG. 52, when the moving part 1220 moves. At this time, referring toFIG. 52, the magnetic field sensed by the position sensor 1260 hasopposite polarities about a mutual zone MZ.

The mutual zone MZ is a zone in which the intensity of the magneticfield sensed by the position sensor 1260 is fixed to ‘0’ even when themoving part 1220 moves. The mutual zone MZ may not be processed using asoftware method. As a result, the position sensor 1260 senses that theintensity of the magnetic field in the mutual zone MZ is only ‘0’.Consequently, it is not possible to accurately measure or control themovement distance of the moving part 1220 in the mutual zone MZ.

In this embodiment, however, the first length L1 of the bipolarmagnetized magnet 1250 is greater than the second length L2, and theposition sensor 1260 senses the intensity of the first-polarity magneticfield that is changed linearly. Consequently, it is possible to preventthe occurrence of the problems caused in the above comparative example.As a result, it is possible to improve design margin and reliability ofthe lens moving apparatuses 1200A to 1200F.

FIG. 53 is a graph illustrating the change of the magnetic field sensedby the position sensor 1260 based on the movement of the moving part1220 of the lens moving apparatus according to the embodiment. Thehorizontal axis indicates the movement distance, and the vertical axisindicates the magnetic field.

In the case in which the third length L3 of the above-describednon-magnetic partition wall 1250A-3 or 1250C-3 is reduced so as tobecome 50% or less the total length LT of the bipolar magnetized magnet1250, the mutual zone MZ may be almost completely eliminated, as shownin FIG. 53. At this time, the height z (=zh) of the center 1261 of theposition sensor 1260 may coincide with or may be equal to the height ofthe center of the bipolar magnetized magnet 1250.

In this case, the intensity of the first-polarity magnetic field 1282and the intensity of the second-polarity magnetic field 1284 may bealmost linearly changed. Consequently, the position sensor 1260 maysense both the first-polarity magnetic field 1282 and thesecond-polarity magnetic field 1284, which are linearly changed as themoving part 1220 moves, with the result that it is possible to providehigher resolution than when the position sensor 1260 senses a magneticfield which has one of the first and second polarities and the intensityof which is changed linearly.

In addition, in the case in which the third length L3 of thenon-magnetic partition wall 1250A-3 or 1250C-3 is reduced so as tobecome 10% or more the total length LT of the bipolar magnetized magnet1250, the mutual zone MZ of the magnetic field is clearly separated fromthe linear zone of the magnetic field. Consequently, the position sensor1260 may sense only a magnetic field which has one of the first andsecond polarities and the intensity of which is changed linearly.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and applications may be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the intrinsic aspects of the embodiments.More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible inconcrete constituent elements of the embodiments. In addition, it is tobe understood that differences relevant to the variations andmodifications fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosuredefined in the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A lens moving apparatus that is capable of being miniaturized,performing image correction regardless of direction, and accuratelyrecognizing and controlling the position of a lens is provided.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens moving apparatus comprising: a housing; abobbin disposed in the housing for mounting a lens; a magnet disposed onthe bobbin; a first coil disposed on the housing; an upper elasticmember coupled to an upper portion of the bobbin and an upper portion ofthe housing; a lower elastic member coupled to a lower portion of thebobbin and a lower portion of the housing; a first circuit boarddisposed on the upper elastic member and electrically connected to theupper elastic member; a second circuit board disposed under the lowerelastic member; a second coil disposed on the second circuit board; anda supporting member for electrically connecting the first circuit boardand the second circuit board or electrically connecting the elasticmember and the second circuit board.
 2. The lens moving apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the first circuit boardcontacts an upper surface of the upper elastic member.
 3. The lensmoving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit boardcomprises: a first upper surface disposed on the upper elastic member; afirst terminal surface bent from the first upper surface, the firstterminal surface having a plurality of first terminals; and a first paddisposed on the first upper surface, one end of the supporting memberbeing connected to the first pad.
 4. The lens moving apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the second circuit board comprises: a second uppersurface, on which the second coil is disposed; and a second pad disposedon the second upper surface, the other end of the supporting memberbeing electrically connected to the second pad.
 5. The lens movingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: an upperend, on which the first circuit board is disposed; a plurality ofsupporting portions connected to a lower surface of the upper end forsupporting the first coil; and a through recess formed in a corner ofthe upper end, the supporting member passing through the through recess.6. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housingcomprises: an upper end, on which the first circuit board is disposed; aplurality of supporting portions connected to a lower surface of theupper end for supporting the first coil; and a through hole formed in acorner of the upper end, the supporting member passing through thethrough hole.
 7. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 4, whereinthe first upper surface of the first circuit board comprises at leastone first corner region, the second upper surface of the second circuitboard comprises at least one second corner region corresponding to thefirst corner region, at least one of the supporting members is disposedbetween the first corner region and the second corner region, the firstcorner region is a region within a predetermined distance from a cornerof the first upper surface of the first circuit board, and the secondcorner region is a region within a predetermined distance from thesecond upper surface of the second circuit board.
 8. The lens movingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bobbin moves upward ordownward from an initial position in the first direction, parallel tothe optical axis, as the result of the electromagnetic interactionbetween the magnet and the first coil.
 9. The lens moving apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein a lower portion of the bobbin is spacedapart from the second circuit board at the initial position.
 10. A lensmoving apparatus comprising: a housing; a bobbin disposed in the housingfor mounting a lens; a first coil disposed on the bobbin; a magnetdisposed on the housing; upper and lower elastic members coupled to thebobbin and the housing; a first circuit board connected to the upperelastic member; a second circuit board disposed under the housing; asecond coil disposed on the second circuit board; an elastic supportingmember for electrically connecting the first circuit board and thesecond circuit board or electrically connecting the upper elastic memberand the second circuit board; and a first damper disposed on a portionof the elastic supporting member.
 11. The lens moving apparatusaccording to claim 10, further comprising a second damper provided on aportion at which the elastic supporting member and the second circuitboard are electrically connected to each other.
 12. The lens movingapparatus according to claim 10, wherein the housing comprises: an upperend, on which the first circuit board is disposed; a plurality ofsupporting portions connected to a lower surface of the upper end andsupporting the first coil; and a through recess formed in a corner ofthe upper end, the supporting member passing through the through recess,and wherein the lens moving apparatus further comprises a third damperprovided between the through recess of the housing and the elasticsupporting member.
 13. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 10,wherein each of the upper and lower elastic members comprises: an innerframe connected to the bobbin; an outer frame connected to the housing;and a connection portion for connecting the inner frame and the outerframe, and wherein the lens moving apparatus further comprises a fourthdamper provided between the inner frame and the housing.
 14. A lensmoving apparatus comprising: a housing; a bobbin disposed in the housingfor mounting a lens a first coil disposed on the bobbin; a magnetdisposed on the housing; a second magnet disposed on the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin; a first position sensor forsensing a position of the bobbin; upper and lower elastic memberscoupled to the bobbin and the housing; a first circuit board connectedto the upper elastic member; a second circuit board disposed under thehousing; a second coil disposed on the second circuit board; and anelastic supporting member for electrically connecting the first circuitboard and the second circuit board or electrically connecting the upperelastic member and the second circuit board, wherein the second magnetis a bipolar magnetized magnet disposed so as to be opposite the firstposition sensor.
 15. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 14,wherein the second magnet comprises: a first lateral surface facing thefirst position sensor, the first lateral surface having a firstpolarity; and a second lateral surface facing the first position sensor,the second lateral surface being disposed so as to be spaced apart fromor to abut on the first lateral surface in a direction parallel to anoptical-axis direction, the second lateral surface having a secondpolarity opposite the polarity of the first lateral surface, and whereina length of the first lateral surface in the optical-axis direction isequal to or greater than a length of the second lateral surface in theoptical-axis direction.
 16. The lens moving apparatus according to claim14, wherein the second magnet comprises: first and second sensingmagnets disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other; and anon-magnetic partition wall disposed between the first and secondsensing magnets.
 17. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 16,wherein the non-magnetic partition wall comprises pores or anon-magnetic material.
 18. The lens moving apparatus according to claim16, wherein the first and second sensing magnets are disposed so as tobe spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to theoptical-axis direction or are disposed so as to be spaced apart fromeach other in a direction perpendicular to the optical-axis direction.19. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 16, wherein thenon-magnetic partition wall has a length equivalent to 10% or more or50% or less a length of the second magnet in a direction parallel to theoptical-axis direction.
 20. The lens moving apparatus according to claim16, wherein the first lateral surface is located above the secondlateral surface, and a height of a center of the first position sensoris equal to or higher than a height of an imaginary horizontal surfaceextending from an upper end of the first lateral surface in a magnetizeddirection in an initial state before the lens is moved in theoptical-axis direction.